In memory of what he called a “lion-hearted friend of Israel,” Mike Evans will inaugurate an annual Charlie Kirk Award for an emerging pro-Israel leader, with public nominations opening ahead of The Jerusalem Post Diplomatic Conference at the Friends of Zion Museum in Jerusalem, Evans told The Jerusalem Post.
Evans is an American Evangelical Christian author and activist, and the founder of Jerusalem’s Friends of Zion Heritage Center and Museum. Through Friends of Zion (FOZ), he has hosted high-profile pro-Israel events and awards and built programs that connect Israel with the global Evangelical community.
Announcing the initiative, Evans said the new award will recognize a young ally of Israel who “stands tall for Judeo-Christian civilization” and advances solidarity with the Jewish state. He invited readers to propose nominees and said details on how to submit names will be released in the coming days, before the conference.
Evans recalled first meeting Charlie Kirk at a gala held in 2018 around the opening of the US Embassy in Jerusalem. “A young man approached me and thanked me for what we were doing. He told me how strongly he supported Israel. His name was Charlie Kirk,” Evans said, adding that Kirk “carried his pro-Israel message to the heart of antisemitism, modern colleges and universities, never wavering in his support and defense of the Jewish people.”
Evans also cited a statement he attributed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who he said called Kirk “a lion-hearted friend of Israel” who “was murdered for speaking truth and defending freedom,” adding that he had invited Kirk to visit Israel in a recent conversation. “Sadly, that visit will not take place,” the statement read, according to Evans.
Asked public to pray for Kirk's widow, children
Evans asked the public to pray for Kirk’s wife, Erika, and their two young children, noting that Kirk was 31. He said the Charlie Kirk Award is meant to channel grief into purpose by elevating a new generation of leaders who refuse to bow to hatred.
How to nominate: Public nominations for the inaugural Charlie Kirk Award will open before the Diplomatic Conference at the Friends of Zion Museum. Submission guidelines will be announced shortly. Readers will be invited to suggest standout young allies of Israel once nominations open.