Faith at the Center: Satellite High Student Chandler Braid On Organizing the Charlie Kirk Vigil

Hundreds gathered on September 14 at Canova Beach in Melbourne to honor conservative-Christian activist Charlie Kirk, who was tragically killed just days earlier in Utah. The vigil was marked most powerfully by prayer, songs of worship, and Christian witness, led by its young organizer, Satellite High School senior and congregant of Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Community, Chandler Braid.

I spoke with Chandler about what inspired her to lead the vigil, how her faith shaped the evening, and the prayer she wrote and offered to open the gathering (published in full at the end of this interview):

Connor Mahoney: The vigil you organized drew hundreds of supporters from across the county to honor the legacy of Charlie Kirk. I'm sure there were many backgrounds represented, but your program was distinctly marked by prayer and exhortations of Christian faith and worship. What role did your faith play in inspiring you to organize this vigil?

Chandler Braid: The vigil I led was in honor of Charlie Kirk. An American, patriot, family man, but most of all a follower of Christ. Charlie was once asked what he wanted to be remembered for on this Earth. He responded with “my courage and my faith in God.” My morals are led the same way. Everything I do on this Earth I want God to be at the center of it. My testimony has been a long-standing commitment. I was born into a Christian household and I always believed in the Bible’s values, but until recently I never lived for Jesus. The Lord has a calling for each one of us and it’s up to us to listen to Him and trust Him with our hearts. That’s what I was called to do.

CM: As you prepared for the vigil, did you sense God guiding you in any way?

CB: God was definitely guiding me in preparing for the vigil. When Charlie died, I felt a great sense to make a difference through peace and goodness. I am Catholic, so Wednesday night I felt called to the Lord. I went to adoration for about an hour and talked to God about how I can make a difference in this community. Later that night I was scrolling on social media and I saw many comments on local pages asking to have a memorial for Charlie. I knew God wanted me to bring people together. I’ve always been good at planning events, but I have never let God use me for His word. I am so grateful I listened because we had a huge turnout, and I know that was all Jesus.

CM: You opened the vigil with a beautiful prayer that lifted up Kirk's family, the hatred and violence impacting our nation of late—including the Colorado school shooting—and even the terrible wreck that claimed the lives of three people on I-95 that day. What was on your heart as you wrote those words?

CB: Social media is a driving force in our society without a doubt. This week many clicked on their phones and saw unspeakable things of violence—things the human brain is not supposed to see. Violence and evil took over our country’s screen. That is why Jesus is so important. Evil happens, but our God is so good. We need to stop looking to social media and man for answers and start looking as a society to Christ. He is above all. He has the answers, and I felt moved to call out the violence and pray in Jesus’ name for all affected by these horrific events.

CM: You're very young—still a senior in high school. What encouragement would you share with other young believers who feel called to stand boldly for truth and faith in public spaces?

CB: Advice I would give to other young believers looking to proclaim their faith: If you feel called, take it. God has a plan for you. So many will try to take us off our path, especially with temptations, but God is the only way to eternal life. Speak out, invite your friends to church, join a Bible study, do as we are commanded and spread the amazing word of the Lord. Yes, it may be scary, but God says, “Fear not, for I am with you.” He has a plan for you—take it!

To begin the vigil, Braid read a prayer she had written for the occasion. The full text is published below:

Heavenly Father,
We come before You today with hearts that are heavy, yet full of gratitude. Gratitude for Your presence, for Your promises, and for the gift of eternal life through Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Lord, we thank You for the life of Charlie Kirk—for the passion, conviction, and courage with which he lived. We honor his voice, his work, and his deep desire to stand for truth. Most of all, we thank You for the mark he left on so many lives. We trust that he is now resting in the glory of Your presence, where there is no more pain, no more striving—only peace and joy.

We lift up Erika to You now, Lord, a loving wife, a strong woman of faith. Surround her with Your comfort and grace. Hold her in the shelter of Your wings as she walks through this valley. And be near to their children—may they feel their father’s love through the legacy he leaves behind, and even more so, may they feel Your love carrying them each day.

God, in our sorrow, we also cry out for our nation. We pray for peace in America, for hearts to turn from hatred and violence and return to You. Lord, we pray for the victims of the Colorado school shooting. We lift up the family of Iryna Zarutska. Lord, we pray for all affected in today's crash on I-95 here in our own community. Heal what is broken, Lord. Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.

May this memorial be more than a moment of remembrance—may it be a call to continue in faith, to live boldly, and to love deeply, just as Charlie did. We give You all the glory, now and forever.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Chandler Braid is the founder of the Youth Republicans of Brevard. They can be found on Instagram @youth.republicans.brevard

— Christians of Brevard is a multi-church initiative that seeks to amplify the voices of local churches and ministries for the purpose of encouraging the local body of Christ and advancing the Kingdom of God. Join our Facebook community @ChristiansOfBrevard