Charlie Kirk’s mission marches on at Center for Christian Virtue gala

Even after the assassination of faith-and-political activist Charlie Kirk, his impact continues at the campus events and conferences he had planned to attend.

Center for Christian Virtue, a faith-based public policy organization in Columbus, Ohio, planned to host Kirk for its 2025 annual gala Sept. 26. CCV President Aaron Baer said Kirk was the obvious choice for the keynote speaker because of his passion for marriage and family.

“We were so excited to have Charlie come because one of our major initiatives at CCV is addressing this crisis we face in our country,” Baer told The Lion in an interview. “I saw Charlie about a month ago at an event here in Columbus, and we talked a little bit about our upcoming event and how we were excited to have him.”

Baer said Kirk’s assassination was “one of the darkest days” at CCV. The office closed the following day to give employees time to pray and mourn, he said. Whether the gala would continue was a question unanswered for several days.

“Through prayer we determined we need to go forward,” Baer said. “But then we actually started hearing from a lot of the folks who are coming and other people about how they were really looking forward to still getting together, and they thought it was so important that we didn’t let this murderer stop us from pressing forward with our event.”

CCV invited political commentator Allie Beth Stuckey and one of Kirk’s pastors, Luke Barnett of Dream City Church in Phoenix, Arizona.

“Both of these people are two of the most beautiful people you’ll ever see,” Baer said. “Here’s a brother and a sister in Christ who just had a friend get brutally murdered in front of the world, and they were both so joy-filled. Obviously mourning because they lost a friend, but they were so inspired by that memorial service and by what they’re already seeing the Lord do through Charlie’s death.”

Before Kirk’s assassination, about 400 people had registered for the gala with a cap of 500, Baer said. After the change in speakers, Baer said he feared losing some sponsors, but instead, registration sold out. Baer said more than half the room raised their hands when asked if this was their first CCV event.

“God provided for us,” Baer said, explaining how Stuckey agreed to come after closing her September travel schedule.

Barnett shared how he met Kirk – a story showcasing how politics and faith can work together, Baer said. Kirk approached Barnett about hosting an event during the 2020 Covid-closures, and Barnett offered his church as a venue, not hesitating when President Donald Trump became the keynote guest.

“A lot of people, especially Christians, would see political engagement and mercy missions as in conflict with each other: the political engagement is going to distract from serving the orphan, the widow, the stranger. Look at pastor Luke’s church, and they show that it’s the exact opposite,” Baer said.

“Pastor Luke understands that both of these things have a massive impact on our ability to share the gospel and do good works, and they’re not in conflict with one another.”

One of the most moving comments of the gala, Baer said, was when Stuckey highlighted how Kirk’s boldness helped the Christian message of salvation reach millions at his memorial service Sept. 21.

“There were so many Christians over the years that would criticize Charlie for his direct communication style, or criticize Charlie for how involved he’s gotten in political campaigns, and would say that political engagement is going to turn people off from the gospel,” Baer said, summarizing Stuckey’s comments. “We had one of the largest evangelism events in world history, where tens of millions of people, through live streaming and in person there, heard the gospel proclaimed by the President and the Vice President and Secretary of State and some of the largest media leaders in the country. …

“It showed that living boldly for Jesus will reach so many people and living in fear of what the culture is going to think gets us nowhere.”

Baer said Stuckey discussed her new book, Toxic Empathy, which explains how often cultural ideologies “use empathy as a weapon” to silence Christians from speaking truth on life and sexuality.

“I think education is another great example,” Baer said. “The public schools have fundamentally failed millions of students, but so many people are afraid to talk about the failures in the public schools, because you don’t want to be mean to other kids who go to public schools. But ultimately those who are hurt by this are the kids.”

Education is one of CCV’s three pillars, and the gala raised funds to support school choice and Christian education.

CCV has launched 10 Christian schools through churches in Ohio and is beginning to focus the effort in other states, Baer said, adding that CCV’s main focus is “addressing the marriage and family crisis in America and getting kids out of public schools and into Christian schools.”

In early 2025, CCV partnered with the Institute for Family Studies to publish the “2025 Hope and a Future Report,” which traced the root cause of various issues at both the state and federal level.

“The decline of marriage and the collapse of family are at the root of the vast majority of the challenges the state and our nation are facing today,” Baer said. “Whether it’s drug addiction, whether it’s mental health crisis, failing school outcomes, kids not having a married mom and dad at home is the commonality between all these serious issues our country faces.”

CCV next event, on Thursday, features Carl Trueman and Rosario Butterfield as keynote speakers. Then, on Friday, the organization will join thousands of Ohioans for the state’s march for life.