Podcast Summary

Podcast: I Don’t Have Enough FAITH to Be an ATHEIST

Host: Dr. Frank Turek
Guest: Pastor Greg Laurie
Episode Title: Time to Suit Up! Bringing HOPE to Utah Valley Univ. with Pastor Greg Laurie
Date: November 14, 2025
Main Theme:
How God can bring hope, comfort, and revival in the wake of tragedy—specifically relating to the recent murder of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University (UVU)—and Pastor Greg Laurie's calling to share the gospel at the very same site.

Episode Overview

This deeply moving episode features an extended conversation between Dr. Frank Turek and renowned evangelist Pastor Greg Laurie. They discuss their responses to the recent tragedy at UVU, the challenge of evil and suffering, ministry among Mormons, and the growing signs of revival among the nation’s youth.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Fallout from Tragedy at UVU

• Context: Charlie Kirk was assassinated at Utah Valley University.
• Crusade Relocated: Initially, Greg Laurie’s Harvest Crusade was scheduled for 2027 but was moved up after the tragedy to bring hope and healing sooner.
  • “We prayed, and I felt prompted by the Lord to say yes.” (Greg Laurie, 02:34)
  • They managed to organize a large event in just six weeks, a process that normally takes a year.
• Purpose: Turning evil into good by bringing the message of the gospel to the very site of loss.
  • “God can take what the devil meant for evil and use it for good.” (Greg Laurie, 02:57)
  • Referenced Joseph’s words: “You meant it for evil. God meant it for good...to save many people alive.” (03:16)
• Erica Kirk’s Perspective: Erica, Charlie’s widow, shared that Charlie would not want to return from Heaven, given the good coming from his death. (03:35)
• Not Wasting Pain: Laurie draws from his own experience of losing his son, using loss as “a weapon and a tool...to leverage the message of the gospel.” (Greg Laurie, 04:21)

2. Reaching Out to the Mormon Community

• Utah as a Mission Field: Recognition that Utah is predominantly Mormon, with distinct doctrines differing from Christianity (works-based salvation, polytheism).
• “But according to Mormon doctrine, grace is not enough. You have to do good works.” (Frank Turek, 07:02)
• Laurie’s Approach:
  • Focusing on Jesus’s finished work on the cross (“Tetelestai – it is finished”).
  • Differentiating “do” religions from Christianity’s “done.”
  • “Christianity could be summed up in one word—done. It’s finished, it’s purchased. There’s nothing I can do to earn it.” (Greg Laurie, 08:26)
  • Plans to preach on the Prodigal Son, underscoring God’s grace over merit.

3. Dealing with Grief and the Problem of Evil

• Laurie’s Personal Loss: Discussed the loss of his son 16 years prior.
  • “Being a pastor didn’t give me an advantage, because...I was a father who lost a son. And it’s indescribable.” (Greg Laurie, 11:46)
  • “Success builds walls, but failure builds bridges.” (Greg Laurie, 12:37)
• Living on Promises, Not Explanations:
  • “We live on promises, not explanations.” (Warren Wiersbe, cited by Greg Laurie, 13:59)
  • “Never trade what you do know for what you don’t know.” (Chuck Smith, 14:21)
• Turning Pain into Ministry: God uses tragedy to deepen compassion and build bridges to those who are suffering.
• Practical Advice in Grief:
  • Accept grief, support each other as a family, “not waste your pain.”
  • “You’re going to be happy again, you’re going to have joy again, you're going to see your loved one.” (Laurie, 19:30)

4. Hope and Revival Among Youth

• Revival Signs: Uptick in Bible sales, increased spiritual hunger, especially among young people.
  • “Charlie’s death was like rocket fuel in a preexisting fire of revival.” (Greg Laurie, 35:39)
  • “Christian kids...inspired by his life and his boldness and his courage” now want to be a voice to their generation.
• Encouragement for the Upcoming Crusade:
  • Those unable to attend can join via livestream at Harvest.org or through church watch parties.

5. Greg Laurie’s Personal Faith Journey

• Upbringing: Born to a single mother who struggled with alcoholism and relationships, raised partly by grandparents.
  • “She was a classic prodigal daughter...living la vida loca, Frank.” (Greg Laurie, 26:31)
• Search for Meaning: Rejected his dysfunctional upbringing only to fall into rebellious behavior as a teen.
• Encountering Christ: Drawn to campus “Jesus freaks”; attended a Bible study outside (due to a broken AC), heard a message from Lonnie Frisbee.
  • “Jesus said you’re for me or against me…Next thing I knew, I was up there praying. That’s the day Christ came into my life.” (Greg Laurie, 30:24)
• Launch into Ministry: Through invitation and encouragement, began attending Calvary Chapel (Chuck Smith), started with cartoon gospel tracts, which evolved into leading Bible studies and, eventually, a church.
  • “I never aspired to this. I never wanted to be a public speaker...but God grabbed me.” (Greg Laurie, 33:27)

6. Current Ministry and Harvest Events

• Harvest Church Campuses: Riverside, Irvine (OC), Maui, with robust online presence (“Harvest at Home”).
• Harvest Plus App: Offers easy access to livestreams and archived content.

7. Facing Hostility Against Christianity

• Culture Wars: Turek discusses recent disruptions and hostilities at secular universities, including threats from groups like Antifa.
  • “There’s no ‘heckler’s veto.’ You can’t just shout people down because you don’t like what they say.” (Frank Turek, 39:21)
• Why Such Opposition?:
  • Laurie: This is spiritual; evil alliances form against Christ and his followers (“the devil has come down to you and he knows his time is short”—Revelation). (Greg Laurie, 41:08)
  • “Even the most unlikely people coming together in their mutual hatred of Christ and the message that he gives us.” (Greg Laurie, 43:03)
• Advice for Christians:
  • “Don’t freak out, suit up. Put on the armor of God.” (Greg Laurie, 43:13)
  • Focus on spiritual readiness (Ephesians 6): helmet of salvation (guard your mind), sword of the Spirit (know and use scripture), shield of faith, etc.

8. Memorable Quotes

• On Embracing Suffering:

  • “One of the ways I found to deal with grieving is: you don’t waste your pain.” (Greg Laurie, 03:49)
  • “Never trade what you do know for what you don’t know.” (Chuck Smith, as quoted by Laurie, 14:21)

• On the Gospel and Grace:

  • “Christianity could be summed up in one word: Done. It’s finished, it’s purchased. There’s nothing I can do to earn it.” (Greg Laurie, 08:26)

• On God’s Sovereignty:

  • “God can bring good despite the bad things. Because I’ll always look at that event, when my son went to be with the Lord, as a tragedy.” (Greg Laurie, 21:12)

Important Timestamps

• 01:21 – Laurie shares calling to move Utah crusade earlier after Charlie Kirk’s murder.
• 03:49 – On not wasting pain; using grief as a platform for hope.
• 07:31 – Strategy for sharing the gospel in Mormon-centric Utah.
• 11:10 – Laurie explores losing his son, grief, and God’s promises.
• 13:59 – Wisdom from Warren Wiersbe: “We live on promises, not explanations.”
• 19:30 – Impact of loss on Laurie’s family; bringing hope to others in grief.
• 25:43 – Laurie narrates his family’s troubled background and unlikely path to faith.
• 30:24 – Laurie’s dramatic conversion during campus revival.
• 31:27 – Early ministry: from cartoon tracts to leading Bible studies.
• 35:39 – Evidence of revival following Charlie Kirk’s death.
• 40:43 – Hostility against Christianity and the spiritual battle.
• 43:13 – Encourage believers to “suit up” with the full armor of God.
• 44:44 – Practical tips on spiritual preparation.
• 47:24 – The prodigal son message as a model for the Utah crusade.
• 48:12 – (Prayer) Laurie prays over listeners and the upcoming crusade.

Notable Moments

• Laurie shares candidly about family pain and using tragedy for ministry.
• Turek and Laurie discuss the difference between Christian grace and works-based theologies.
• Reflection on the rising generation's spiritual hunger and how Charlie Kirk's life and death serve as a catalyst.
• Exhortation to Christians to be both courageous and spiritually prepared.

For Listeners

• To attend or watch the Harvest Crusade at UVU (Sunday, November 16, 6 pm MST):
  • In-person tickets at Harvest.org (free but required for entry)
  • Watch livestream or join a local watch party
  • Download the Harvest Plus App for all events and content
• Get involved: Volunteer or host a livestream group.
• Support and connect: Harvest Church campuses (Riverside, Irvine, Maui), Harvest at Home online, and via the app.
• For encouragement in grief or loss: Seek out Laurie’s and church ministries, including support groups and resources.

Episode Conclusion

The episode closes with Laurie offering a heartfelt prayer for strength, protection, and boldness for Christians facing spiritual opposition—encouraging all to “suit up” in the armor of God, relying on the sufficiency of Christ and the promises of Scripture even (and especially) amid suffering.

“Don’t freak out, suit up. Put on the armor of God...Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.” — Greg Laurie (43:13)

For details, resources, and to connect: Harvest.org
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