Last week, Charlie Kirk, an American Christian martyr, went to his eternal reward in paradise with his Savior, Jesus Christ. While his shoes cannot be filled, his death has birthed a turning point in the hearts of Americans everywhere, committing to talking more, shouting less, and boldly defending Truth.
As a 24-year-old, I see Charlie’s assassination as my generation’s 9/11 moment. For most of Gen-Z (born 1997-2012), recollection of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, is faint, if not nonexistent. Not until September 10, 2025, has my generation experienced such a horrific assault on our country, caught on tape for the world to see.
As one commentator put it, “it feels like someone put the Constitution on the wall and shot the First Amendment.”
Soon after Charlie was shot, my phone blew up with calls and messages from peers expressing concern, fear, anger, confusion, and grief. Friends of mine who are politically disengaged began to express interest in not only what Charlie Kirk said but also how they could make an impact like he did.
In the days following, prayer vigils swiftly rose up across the nation — and continue to pop up. Churches are gathering in unity, and communities are coming together to heal and mourn in ways my generation has never experienced.
This week, I attended a prayer vigil for Charlie near my small town in Florida. Hundreds of members from the community gathered, prayed, lit candles, grieved, sang “Amazing Grace,” and committed to getting involved in the fight for freedom.
Surrounding me were young married couples, standing with an American flag in one hand and their child’s hand in the other. They bowed in prayer to God Almighty, repenting, and asking for our country to turn back to God, turn back to the Constitution, and turn back to greatness.
The gospel, that Jesus Christ died and defeated death so we could live, was even shared, and a few attendees gave their lives to Christ as the group was moved.
God is at work through this tragedy.
How Charlie Impacted Me
I met Charlie Kirk when I was 17 years old. At the time, I was the student president of the late, great, Phyllis Schlafly’s Teen Eagle program, and Charlie was speaking at Phyllis’ Eagle Forum conference.
Having followed his work since 2015, I was excited to finally meet Charlie in person. Before he spoke, I saw him sitting in the back of the busy conference hall by himself, Tweeting, as he would famously do.
I touched him on the shoulder, introduced myself, and explained that I lead a couple dozen high-school students locally and that we were trying to educate youth on biblical morality and the U.S. Constitution while cultivating leadership skills. He was so gracious, encouraging, and kind. Charlie told me to keep fighting and reminded me that we were brothers in arms.
Though Charlie would most likely not remember our brief visit, his death felt as though I lost a close friend. After years of listening to The Charlie Kirk Show, watching his campus tours routinely, and always reading his Tweets, my worldview was shaped by his teachings.
Charlie Kirk taught me that behind every political debate was an individual — a person who could be reached with the Truth. He taught me that the only way our nation can heal is through open, free, and honest dialogue. He taught me that when we stop talking, our nation becomes volatile. He taught me to be a happy warrior and approach our adversaries with kindness.
Charlie Kirk taught me that bringing a person to Christ was more important than defeating them in a political debate.
Charlie was not just a fisher of votes, though he excelled in doing so. He was, as Christ instructed us to be in Matthew chapter four, a “fisher of men.”
Days before he passed, Charlie posted to social media seven words: “Jesus defeated death so you can live.”
Charlie Kirk also defeated death through Jesus Christ, and that is his ultimate legacy. He died as he lived, boldly sharing the gospel, defending freedom, and working to save America for the next generation.
It is necessary to recognize that Charlie Kirk cannot be replaced. He was one of a kind. But we all can be, and must be, Charlie Kirk in our own way. We must commit to taking action and having honest dialogue with those we disagree with, while never surrendering or compromising the Truth.
Join me in grabbing the baton from Charlie and continuing to run the race for Christ, for our families, and for the country we love, the United States of America.
We must all be Charlie Kirk now.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” — 1 Timothy 4:7-8.