The partnership was everywhere until it wasn't. If you followed the intersection of evangelical fire and conservative activism over the last few years, you couldn't miss the duo of Pastor Jack Hibbs and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. They weren't just colleagues; they were a powerhouse team that bridged the gap between the pulpit and the political rally.
But then, things took a tragic and chaotic turn.
On September 10, 2025, the news cycle stopped. Charlie Kirk was shot and killed during an event at Utah Valley University. The suspect, a 22-year-old named Tyler Robinson, was arrested shortly after, and police described it as a "targeted attack." For many in the TPUSA Faith community and the congregation at Calvary Chapel Chino Hills, the shock was paralyzing.
The Bond Between the Pastor and the Activist
Jack Hibbs and Charlie Kirk were more than just two guys who shared a stage. They had developed a symbiotic relationship where theology met sociology. Hibbs provided the biblical foundation—the "why" behind the values—and Kirk provided the "how" through his massive infrastructure at Turning Point USA.
Honestly, it was a match that made total sense for their audience. Kirk often admitted that he wasn't always the "church guy," but Hibbs helped shepherd him into a more public, vocal faith. You've probably seen their "Happening Now" sessions. They’d sit in those leather chairs at Calvary Chapel Chino Hills and talk about everything from the Tower of Babel to the World Economic Forum.
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One of their most significant joint efforts was the TPUSA Faith initiative. It was designed to get pastors to stop being "scared" of the culture. Hibbs was the poster child for this movement. He wasn't just preaching about heaven; he was telling his congregation to vote, to show up at school board meetings, and, more recently, to consider leaving California altogether if certain bills passed.
The Murder that Shook the Movement
When Kirk was killed in late 2025, the aftermath was anything but quiet. Jack Hibbs didn't shy away from the tragedy. He went on Fox & Friends and other outlets to honor his friend, calling him a "true American" and someone who would have been a signer of the Constitution if he’d lived in 1776.
But behind the scenes, a different story was brewing.
Candace Owens, a former TPUSA star herself, blew the lid off a growing rift within the organization shortly after Kirk's death. She publicly accused the leadership of Turning Point USA of lying about the circumstances surrounding the murder. On December 2, 2025, she took to X (formerly Twitter) and told donors to ask for refunds, claiming "the leadership knew" more than they were letting on.
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The tension spilled over into the pulpit. During the Pray Vote Stand Summit in late 2025, Jack Hibbs mentioned Owens and Tucker Carlson. Owens didn't take it well. She fired back, saying she couldn't even make it through a Sunday without a "TPUSA Faith pastor" mentioning her name.
Why Their Collaboration Mattered
You have to understand the scale of what they were doing to see why this fallout matters. Before the tragedy, Hibbs and Kirk were tackling topics most churches wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole:
- Men in women’s sports: They did a whole podcast on this in April 2025, focusing on how young men were moving right while educated women moved left.
- AB 495 in California: This was a huge one for Hibbs. He called it the "Family Preparedness Plan Act of 2025" and warned it would allow non-relatives to take custody of children without parental consent. He even told his church to "pack up and get out" of the state if it passed.
- The Biblical Destiny of America: They constantly pushed the idea that America wasn't just a secular experiment but a nation with a specific spiritual heritage.
Their alliance was basically the blueprint for the "New Religious Right." It wasn't about quiet pews; it was about "Salt and Light" being active in the halls of power.
What’s Happening Now in 2026?
As of early 2026, the landscape looks very different. The "Happening Now" sessions at Calvary Chapel continue, but there’s a massive hole where Charlie Kirk used to sit. Hibbs is still carrying the torch, recently focusing on his new book, Called to Take a Bold Stand, and his "Real Life" network.
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But the TPUSA Faith split is real. The infighting between people like Candace Owens and the remaining leadership has created a "civil war" of sorts within the conservative Christian world. Some young people at recent events have even complained that the gatherings feel more like angry political rallies than spiritual services.
Actionable Insights for the Future
If you’ve been following this saga, here is how to navigate the current climate:
1. Vet Your Sources
The drama between Owens and TPUSA shows that even within the same "camp," there are massive disagreements. Don't take a single tweet or clip as the whole truth. Look for the court filings in the Tyler Robinson case if you want the actual facts of the Kirk murder.
2. Focus on the Policy, Not Just the Personality
Regardless of how you feel about Hibbs or Kirk, the bills they talked about—like AB 495—are real. If you’re a parent in California or elsewhere, look up the specific legislation rather than just relying on a sermon snippet.
3. Understand the "Martyr" Narrative
The term "martyr" is already being used in some circles to describe Kirk. This will likely drive a lot of the political rhetoric in the 2026 election cycle. Be aware that the emotional weight of this tragedy is being used to mobilize voters.
The alliance between Jack Hibbs and Charlie Kirk changed how millions of Christians view politics. It proved that a pastor and a political strategist could build a massive, influential bridge. Whether that bridge stays standing after the chaos of the last few months is something we're still watching play out.