Have We Forgotten About Iryna Zarutska?

Have We Forgotten About Iryna Zarutska?

“Do not deprive the foreigner or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge.”

Deuteronomy 24:17 NIV

The memorial service for Charlie Kirk, viewed by millions of people worldwide this past Sunday afternoon, should have restored any doubt that the power of God’s Word and the effectiveness of a Chrisitan’s witness are both very powerful here on planet Earth. For the past two weeks, the news cycle has been inundated with testimonies about Charlie’s character, his faith story, and the success of Turning Point USA. I’m overjoyed that our world has heard the power of the Christian faith because it’s been fleshed out by people as talented and faithful as Charlie and Erika Kirk. Even though Charlie and I weren’t close friends, I’m sure from glory he was hoping someone would have read 1 Corinthians 11:1 where the apostle Paul said, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” I think he would have us follow his example because he followed the example of Christ Jesus.

While we certainly should celebrate, applaud, and imitate the tremendous faith of Charlie and Erika Kirk, part of me wonders if those in the media have forgotten about a young woman who lived in Charlotte, North Carolina. Do you remember Iryna Zarutska? On August 22, 2025, at the East/West Boulevard station on the Lynx Blue Line, in Charlotte, North Carolina, Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee who had fled her country because of the Russian invasion, was fatally stabbed by Decarlos Brown, Jr. In Huntersville, North Carolina, Iryna took various jobs and began learning English. Her boyfriend gave her driving lessons, since her family had never owned a car. Iryna was enrolled in college classes and worked at a pizzeria in Charlotte. On the night of the attack, Iryna had finished her shift at the pizza shop and was commuting home when, for no apparent reason, Mr. Brown stabbed her in the neck, leaving her to bleed to death there on the commuter train. According to the New York Post, Mr. Brown told his family he stabbed Iryna because he believed she was reading his mind.

Perhaps you’ve heard the following quote attributed to Edmund Burke: "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." While there’s some controversy surrounding whether Edmund Burke actually said that, the truth still remains. When good people do nothing but stand by and watch monsters like Decarlos Brown, Jr. senselessly murder innocent people like Iryna, those who do nothing become monsters themselves. At least four people who sat opposite Iryna on that commuter train did absolutely nothing in the first minute and forty seconds to help her. Perhaps, if we had been in their positions, we would have reacted similarly. No one knows. But there’s a part of me that wonders if Iryna will ever be celebrated for who she was. Or will the news cycle roll forward and forget about her young life?

Let me encourage you to do something when you see someone in trouble, even if it costs you something. In the days and months ahead, I’m sure you’ll be reminded of the senseless killing of Charlie Kirk, but will you remember the senseless killing of Iryna Zarutska? When you witness injustice, will you use your voice to stand up for the voiceless? Follow the ministry of Erika Kirk and TPUSA as she follows Jesus Christ, but please don’t let the name Iryna Zarutska disappear into obscurity.

Thanks for reading Pastor Dale’s Mid-Week Encouragement.  If you’re a regular attender of the Mt. Laurel Church of God, consider reading Jeremiah 32:1-15 and 1 Timothy 6:18-19 to get yourself ready to hear God’s message through Pastor Dale on Sunday, September 28.

Called to know the Way, go the Way, and show you the Way,

^{Pastor Dale}

Pastor Dale (PD) and Pamela his wife are honored to serve the Mt. Laurel Church of God. If this Mid-Week Encouragement has helped you, perhaps it may encourage someone else. Feel free to share this message with anyone you choose. And if you'd like to receive PD's Mid-Week Encouragement, just send an email to (kingdomguy@gmail.com) and I'll accommodate your request.