Christians are in mourning over the "incredible loss" of Charlie Kirk, who was shot dead at a university campus in Utah on Wednesday.
Christian author and broadcaster Eric Metaxas said it was "not too soon" to call Kirk a "martyr" after he was assassinated while talking to students at Utah Valley University.
"It's not too soon to say it: Charlie Kirk is a martyr. He was killed for his faith in Jesus, which was behind everything he believed politically and otherwise," said Metaxas.
"We must all know that. He wasn't merely a political activist. It all came out of his faith in Jesus Christ."
He ended his statement with an appeal to people to "turn to Jesus".
Conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation echoed these sentiments, saying: "It is providential that the organization that Charlie founded and so bravely led was named Turning Point.
"His martyrdom must be a turning point for our country.”
It added that Kirk had made "immense contributions to the conservative movement and our country".
American evangelist Franklin Graham remembered Kirk as a man who "loved the Lord Jesus Christ". He asked people to pray for his wife and two young children.
"What a tragedy," said Franklin.
"This young man loved his country and invested his time and energy in trying to make it the best it could be.
"He stood boldly for conservative values and defended free speech for all of us. Most importantly, Charlie loved the Lord Jesus Christ.
"Pray for his wife Erika, their two young children, and all of their family. It’s in these moments of darkness that we need to stand on the Scripture that Erika shared on social media, 'God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble' (Psalm 46:1)."
Christian author Sean McDowell called it a "heartbreaking tragedy" and said he was praying for Kirk's family and for the nation's leaders to have "wisdom" at this time.
"May the shooter be brought to justice," he added.
Kristen Waggoner, president of the Alliance Defending Freedom International, an organization that defends Christian liberty worldwide, said she was "stunned" and "grieving" for his family.
"There are no words to describe my shock and heartbreak over the heinous murder of our dear friend Charlie Kirk," she said.
"We pray that justice will be swiftly done, and that no further harm will come to the innocent. At the end of every life, there are only a few things that truly matter. Those things were true of Charlie Kirk: he knew his Creator. He acted on his convictions. He sought to anchor those convictions in the truth of the Gospel. And now, he has entered into glory.
"It now falls to us to rise to the challenge of this moment. Americans of all creeds and convictions must unite in firmly rejecting all forms of violence. The future of our nation depends on maintaining free and peaceful debate (which Charlie did so well), rather than silencing each other by force.
"And to my fellow Christians, this moment presents a unique challenge and calling. We alone have something this hurting nation desperately needs: the truth of the Gospel and the love of Christ. It’s time to boldly speak it and powerfully show it. May God have mercy."
Harvest pastor Greg Laurie called his death "an incredible loss".
"Charlie was such a courageous young man. He was not only a bold and unwavering voice for biblical truth in our culture, but also a devoted follower of Jesus Christ, a husband, and a family man. He will be deeply missed," he said.
"As shocking as this news is, we can take comfort in knowing that Charlie is now in Heaven. The moment he took his last breath here on earth, he took his first breath in the presence of the Lord.
"That is the hope we hold on to as believers—eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. Please join me in praying for Charlie’s wife and children during this unimaginable time. May the God of all comfort surround them with peace and strength."
Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, said, "Our hearts and prayers are with the entire Kirk family as we grieve the death of Charlie Kirk. We are deeply saddened by the news of this horrific shooting.
"In moments like these we remember the words of the psalmist, 'God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.' (Psalm 46:1) Almighty God, we need You. We pray for Your comfort and for an abiding sense of Your presence to draw near as our nation grieves this loss. Amen."
The loss of Kirk is being felt far across the other side of the Atlantic, with Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen, who was prosecuted for tweeting biblical views, paying tribute to him as "an exceptionally sharp and analytical conservative Christian influencer".
"He engaged in open discussions with people who thought differently – even seconds before his death, he was asked about transgender and mass shooting issues. A sad loss, widely felt," she said.
Stephanie Davies-Arai, director of Transgender Trend, a group that advocates for an evidence-based response to transgenderism in the UK, said Kirk's death was "horrifying" and "a black day for tolerance of open debate and freedom of speech".
Caroline Farrow, who has been targeted by trans activists over her critical stance, called it an "appalling attack on democracy".
