*A Virginia pastor has amassed millions of views online for a sermon condemning the spiritual ambivalence around the death of MAGA activist Charlie Kirk. On the Sunday after Kirk was slain, Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley of Alfred St. Baptist Church (Alexandria, Virginia) told congregants he was overwhelmed by the political climate and the response to the death of the conservative pundit. The sermon titled “Lead Me to the Rock” (Psalm 61) sparked intense national debate and viral attention due to its bold critique of what Wesley called “selective rage” and “selective compassion” in America.
Wesley delivered the sermon shortly after Kirk, a conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, was assassinated during an event at Utah Valley University. While Wesley clearly stated that Kirk did not deserve to be killed, he was deeply disturbed by the national response—especially the decision to fly U.S. flags at half-staff and the widespread veneration of Kirk by political leaders, including President Donald Trump.
Wesley called that Kirk out for being “an unapologetic racist” who “spent all of his life sowing seeds of division and hate.”
He extrapolated that honoring Kirk in death ignored the harm he caused in life:
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“How you die does not redeem how you lived. You do not become a hero in your death when you are a weapon of the enemy in your life”.
The sermon also highlighted hypocrisy in public mourning, contrasting the outrage over Kirk’s death with silence around the politically motivated killing of Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband. He highlighted the double standard in how right-wingers lamented the death of one of their own versus everyone else. White evangelical pastors, with some exceptions have largely praised Kirk and revered him as a martyr.
Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley speaks on #whitesupremacy and #charliekirk and he didn’t hold back and where is the lie?#fyp #blackchurch@AlfredStreetBC pic.twitter.com/uYXcjzaYRJ
— BMB Empower Network (@BmbEmpower) September 15, 2025
“You do not become a hero in your death when you were a weapon of the enemy in your life.” Dr. Howard John Wesley
Reactions were polarized along racial and political lines.
Supporters praised Wesley’s courage and honesty, calling the sermon “powerful” and “necessary” for confronting racial double standards.
Critics, especially Kirk’s fans and conservative commentators, accused Wesley of being disrespectful and divisive. GO TO 19:00 to hear the portion of the message that went viral.
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