Some cultural figures transcend fame to become household names for generations. We sometimes see examples in athletes such as Michael Jordan, movie stars such as John Wayne, or statesmen such as George Washington. Charlie Kirk was one such figure, a generational voice who reshaped political discourse with wit, grit, and unyielding faith.
Charlie Kirk’s debates on college campuses garnered millions and millions of views on social media platforms. His organization, Turning Point USA, was dedicated to doing whatever it took to change the hearts and minds of a generation towards a love for America and its rich heritage. He hosted rallies, attended debates, had conversations, and even had the ear of the President of the United States. Above all, he was a deeply committed Christian and a faithful husband and father.
I never got the opportunity to meet Charlie. He was scheduled to speak at Liberty University on October 24th of this year. I looked forward to that date with excitement, as Charlie impacted and influence Generation Z, my generation, like no one else has or could. Like many young men and women my age, Charlie was one of the first people I encountered on social media when I started getting into politics. He was witty, intelligent, affable, and captivating. His videos and debates spurred Gen Z to think deeply about issues like abortion, immigration, and transgenderism and inspired many to raise their voices in support for Donald Trump in 2024. He showed our generation that we could effect change, contribute to a cause, and gain influence. To me, and others like me, the chance to hear from and even potentially meet Charlie was the opportunity of a lifetime. Charlie gave Gen Z hope and spurred us, especially us Christians, on to boldness. He showed us how to debate and, most importantly, how to be a happy warrior.
Unlike some in the mainstream Conservative space, he was not handed his platform. From an early age, he worked hard to get to where he was. He exemplified grit and determination, never giving up on your passion, your values, or the call that God places in your life. He was willing to do whatever it took to change the direction of the nation for the better. He showed us work ethic and contagious optimism, and how to form political coalitions, even movements.
Charlie saw the revival of public Christianity as intricate to saving America, taking every opportunity he could to platform pastors, evangelists, and theologians. He also personally shared the gospel at every event – whether a speech, a debate, or a podcast – constantly emphasizing human sin, Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection, and the need to repent and trust in Christ as the only way of salvation. He was a rare public theologian, talking about complex theological issues with his audience in a simple, down-to-earth manner. The clip is now circulating widely online of him telling an interviewer that his deepest desire was to be remembered for being public about his faith. He did that. Now others feel like that can too.
When I saw the news of his death, my world stopped for a moment. I was standing in the library at Liberty University School of Law, in complete shock. The first thought that crossed my mind was his wife, Erika, and kids. A woman just lost her husband. Two young children just lost their father. My heart sank. As I looked up in disbelief, the impact that Charlie had on my generation was immediately obvious. Every single person in the room was in a similar state of shock. Some people cried, some people were pacing back and forth, but all of them were in shock at the loss of someone who had a central impact on their beliefs and their lives.
For many my age, losing Charlie was like losing an older brother. They did not always have someone who demonstrated the same values in their lives, so they would turn to Charlie. Whether it was a question on policy, theology, or general life advice, many would turn to Charlie. In a lost and lonely generation, Charlie was a source of truth and light.
As the evening continued, I saw thousands of messages of support across social media. I saw people I did not know were conservative and people I did not know even paid attention to politics talking about the impact Charlie had on their lives. His true reach is indescribable. He deserves credit for turning Gen Z out to vote for Trump in 2024. He was a pioneer like no other, taking advantage of new mediums of communication like TikTok and X to communicate with his young audience, educate them about current events, and entertain them with his debates on campuses across the country. His “Prove Me Wrong” campus tours attracted thousands across the nation. His impact will be felt for decades to come.
Charlie Kirk is the gold standard of political advocacy and action in the 21st Century. His life, his convictions, and his determination should be a source of inspiration and emulation for pastors, for political figures, and for all of us who want to make a difference in the United States. Not only was he a model of political advocacy, but he was a model of a Christian man in the public square, boldly standing for the truth of Scripture and exemplifying how to be a man and a husband. With his loss comes a void in the public square, but there is also a time for opportunity.
When I saw the news of his death, I was filled with sadness, anger, and confusion. Today, I am filled with determination and resolve. Today, a fire is burning in my heart to work ten times harder than Charlie did and to pray that God uses my work to have at least a tenth of the impact that Charlie had.
Charlie Kirk’s death will be a turning point in the history of these great United States. He dedicated his life to free expression and public debate, and for his hard work and efficiency, he was met by an assassin’s bullet. The message to the Right was clear: speak up and you will be brought down. In honor of Charlie, we must reject this message. We must not stand down. We must not give up. We must speak louder and fight harder to finish what Charlie started. Yesterday, we mourned and we wept. Today, we work.
Charlie Kirk fought the good fight, kept the faith, and finished his race. Now, in his memory, we take up the mantle, united in purpose, fueled by his legacy, and committed to advancing the cause he championed for the glory of God.
Thank you for everything Charlie Kirk. We will never forget.
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons.
