Event spawns creation of Barry County Prayer Circle group

About 30 residents of the Cassville area gathered on the courthouse lawn Saturday night for a candlelight prayer vigil.

“My husband, [Mike], and I organized the event as a time of purposeful prayer and reflection in response to the assassination of Charlie Kirk,” said Debbie Kensinger, of Eagle Rock. “Though we are saddened by such an unspeakable tragedy, we thank God for Charlie’s courage, steadfast and unwavering faith. He is with Jesus, and for that, we have joy.”

According to Wikipedia, Kirk was a 31-year-old American political activist, author and media personality who co-founded the conservative Turning Point USA in 2012. Kirk became recognized as one of the most prominent voices of the MAGA movement in the Republican Party and espoused a variety of controversial conservative stances.

Kirk was shot and killed at a public debate event at the Utah Valley University campus on Sept. 10.

Separate from the vigil, 2025 Cassville graduate Kalee Lowe set up a memorial on the courthouse lawn, which initially included a picture of Kirk, flags and candles. Since being set up Sunday night, it had grown by Monday evening to include balloons, flowers and other items memorializing Kirk.

According to Kensinger, the group at the candlelight vigil shared thoughts about Kirk and shared their personal experiences in their own walks with their Lord and Savior.

“Many of us spoke of how we can learn much from how Charlie would speak with others: so eloquently, with truth, even with those who didn’t agree with him,” Kensinger said. “Blunt though he was, every word that he said honored God and his country. He was a true patriot who believed in ‘God, family and country.’ Those three things, when given the importance they deserve, could change the world.”

Kensinger said as a result of the Saturday night gathering, the group has decided to meet once or twice a month, in the same place.

Information can be found on Facebook at Barry County Prayer Circle.

“The goal of the meetings will be to share the Gospel, as we Christians are called to do,” she said. “All are invited and welcome to attend.”

Kensinger said she has had over a dozen requests from area residents to bring Club America (the high school version of Turning Point USA) to the high schools here.

Kensinger said she can be reached with questions at 585-943-4526.

“I’m an open book and happy to speak with anyone — even someone who isn’t a believer or doesn’t like Charlie Kirk,” she said. “I just want conversations to happen.”