Protestors believed the event sponsored by the two local Turning Point USA student chapters would be a political event because of the parent organization–Turning Point USA founded by Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated on Sept. 10, 2025 while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. 

The host for the event was Evan Jones, a Simpson University business student who is president of the university’s Turning Point USA chapter.

Invocation was given by Dr. Daniel Sloan, a professor of business and department chair and TPUSA faculty advisor with worship led by Carson Williams.

“I was physically declining (despite) my professional success. I had a growing sense of emptiness and isolation,” said Jim Wadleigh, the former manager of the Redding Municipal Airport who said he was addicted to “the bottle” (drinking alcohol). I began reading the Gospel of John. Then I encountered the miracle working power of Christ in my heart. I was released from the bondage of drinking. I was overcome by the peace that makes no sense…with peace that passes all understanding.”

Tom Crandall is the overseer of evangelism at Bethel Church. He has been in full-time ministry for over 18 years, 10 of which have been at Bethel. He spoke of a radical encounter with God over 30 years ago. According to Crandall, “Jesus Christ is the hope for America.”

The nonprofit conservative organization founded in 2012 and headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona is the fastest growing movement in the nation with over 3,500 schools represented and 2,000 student groups. Prior to Kirk’s assassination, TPUSA had 1,200 high school chapters and 900 college and university chapters. The organization has had 36,000 new inquiries for creating official campus chapters since Sept. 10. For information on starting a high school chapter (Club America) go to: https://www.clubamerica.com/chaptercharter.

TPUSA affiliate groups include:

• Club America: the High school chapters. Both Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott hope to see chapters in every high school in their states.
• Turning Point USA Faith: dedicated to recruiting pastors and church leaders to  be active in local and national political issues.
• Turning Point Action: the political campaign arm of Turning Point USA.
• Turning Point Academy: an online academy for “families seeking an ‘America-first education.’”
• Turning Point Endowment: the fundraising arm of TPUSA.

(Editor’s Note: Charlie Kirk was born Oct. 14, 1993 in Arlington Heights, Illinois and was killed Sept. 10, 2025 at 31-years-old. He founded Turning Point USA and served as its Executive Director. Read “A Tribute to Charlie Kirk by a Conservative Commentator”. Read about the Prayer Vigil at Redding City Hall for Charlie Kirk attended by 200. Read “A Nation Divided–The Tale of Two Sides”.)