In the afternoon of September 10, 2025, the world was shaken by the tragic news of the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the founder and president of Turning Point USA. Shot during a speaking event at Utah Valley University, Charlie’s life was cut short in a moment of senseless violence. As Christians, we mourn this profound loss, yet we find solace in the eternal hope of Scripture.

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” (Psalm 116:15). Charlie Kirk was no ordinary man; he was a modern-day warrior for Christ, fearlessly proclaiming the Gospel and biblical truths in a world that often rejects them.

Charlie was a man who sought to equip believers for their daily walk with the Lord, drawing others to the light of salvation through Jesus Christ. His life exemplified the call to “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12), and even in death, his legacy endures as a beacon for the lost and a challenge to the saved.

A Humble Beginning Rooted in Faith

Charlie’s journey began in the suburbs of Chicago, where he grew up in a family that instilled in him a love for God and country. At just 18 years old, he founded Turning Point USA, a student organization dedicated to identifying, educating, training, and organizing students to promote the principles of freedom, free markets, and limited government. But beneath the political activism was a deeper spiritual motivation.

Charlie often shared that his work was rooted in his Christian faith, viewing the college campuses of America as fertile ground for the Gospel. In a world dominated by secular humanism and moral relativism, Charlie stepped into the fray without apology, much like the apostles who preached Christ “in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). He understood that true change begins with transformed hearts, and he labored tirelessly to reach the lost souls wandering in darkness.

Fearlessly Entering the Darkest Places

One of the hallmarks of Charlie’s ministry was his fearless willingness to enter the darkest places—college campuses across the nation, where biblical values are often mocked and Christianity is sidelined. These institutions, once bastions of higher learning grounded in Judeo-Christian principles, have become hotbeds of leftist ideology, where young people are bombarded with lies about gender, sexuality, and morality. Yet Charlie went there anyway, armed with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17, KJV).

He launched his “Prove Me Wrong” tour in the fall of 2025, inviting students to debate him on issues like abortion, free speech, and the role of faith in public life. His first stop was at Utah Valley University, where he passionately defended the sanctity of life and the truth of Scripture, only to be silenced by an assassin’s bullet.

This was not the first time Charlie faced hostility on campuses. In 2017, during a speaking engagement at the University of California, Berkeley—a place notorious for its radical protests—he endured riots, threats, and chaos, yet he stood firm, declaring, “The truth doesn’t need safe spaces; it needs bold voices.” Police in riot gear protected him as protesters hurled bottles and set fires, but Charlie pressed on, sharing how Christ’s love compels us to speak truth to power.

Another vivid example came in 2019 at Ohio State University, where Turning Point USA hosted a “Professor Watchlist” event to expose biased educators. Amid shouts and disruptions, Charlie testified to his own salvation experience, recounting how he came to faith as a teenager through the preaching of the Word.

He challenged students: “If you’re not living for Christ, you’re dying without Him.” Reports from that event noted how dozens of young people approached him afterward, seeking counsel on their spiritual journeys. Charlie’s courage mirrored that of the prophet Elijah confronting the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18), unafraid of the majority’s opposition.

Through Turning Point USA chapters on over 3,000 campuses, Charlie mobilized thousands of students to host Bible studies, prayer meetings, and evangelism outreaches. He often said, “College is where the devil has his strongest hold, but it’s also where God can do His greatest work.”

His death in Utah Valley underscores the spiritual warfare we face; as Ephesians 6:12 reminds us, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world.” Charlie wrestled valiantly, and his blood cries out for us to continue the fight.

Seeking First the Kingdom of God

At the core of Charlie’s fearless life was his unwavering commitment to the principle of Matthew 6:33: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you”.

Charlie didn’t chase fame or fortune for their own sake; he pursued God’s kingdom above all. In his daily radio show and podcast, The Charlie Kirk Show, which reached millions weekly, he wove biblical wisdom into discussions on current events. Whether addressing election integrity or cultural decay, Charlie always pointed back to Scripture as the ultimate authority.

He lived this out personally, rising early each day for prayer and Bible study, even amid a grueling travel schedule. In a 2023 interview with a Christian publication, Charlie shared how Matthew 6:33 guided his decision to forgo a traditional college path and launch TPUSA instead.

“I could have gone to a safe job,” he said, “but God called me to seek His kingdom through service to others. Everything else—success, family, impact—followed because I put Him first.” This principle fueled his activism, and Turning Point USA grew from a small idea to a national force, raising over $100 million annually for conservative causes, all while prioritizing faith-based initiatives like pro-life advocacy and religious liberty protections.

Charlie’s emphasis on the daily disciplines of the Christian life was a cornerstone of his teaching, offering practical guidance for believers striving to walk worthy of the Lord. He boiled it down to four simple yet profound steps:

• Read your Bible every day.
• Pray every day.
• Do what the Bible says.
• Tell others what the Bible says.

This advice, drawn straight from the Word, became a mantra for many young Christians influenced by his ministry.

In a viral Instagram reel from early 2025, Charlie urged his followers: “Read your Bible every single day. Do what the Bible tells you to do. And then, tell people what the Bible says.” He practiced this himself, often starting his broadcasts with a devotional from Scripture, expounding on passages like Psalm 119:105—”Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

During the COVID-19 lockdowns, when churches were shuttered, Charlie hosted online prayer rallies, encouraging families to gather for daily Scripture reading and intercession. One notable example was his 2020 “National Prayer for America” series, where he led millions in praying for revival, citing 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land”.

Charlie’s obedience to Scripture extended to his bold evangelism. He never shied away from sharing the Gospel, even in politically charged settings. At the 2024 Republican National Convention, amid speeches on policy, Charlie took the stage to testify about his conversion, explaining how Jesus saved him from a life of aimless youth.

“I was lost until I found Christ,” he said, “and now my life is His to use.” This obedience led to countless salvations; stories flooded social media after his death of individuals who credited Charlie with leading them to faith.

One young man from a 2022 campus event at Liberty University shared how Charlie’s one-on-one conversation after a Q&A session prompted him to repent and believe. Charlie modeled the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), training TPUSA students to do the same through “Faith, Family, and Freedom” workshops, where evangelism was taught alongside activism.

Embracing God’s Design for Marriage and Family

Perhaps nowhere was Charlie’s biblical worldview more evident than in his passionate advocacy for marriage and family among young people. In an age of delayed adulthood, cohabitation, and declining birth rates, Charlie called the rising generation to embrace God’s design for manhood and womanhood.

He frequently quoted Genesis 2:24—”Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” —urging singles to marry early, build strong homes, and raise children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).

In a poignant Instagram post just weeks before his death, Charlie declared, “Get married, have kids, and stop partying into oblivion. Leave a legacy, be courageous. Having a family will change your life in the best ways.”

He lived this out in his own marriage to Erika Frantzve, whom he wed in 2021. The couple welcomed their first child in 2022 and a second in 2024, and Charlie often spoke of fatherhood as his greatest joy, second only to serving Christ.

“God designed us for family,” he said during a 2023 family conference hosted by TPUSA. “Don’t let the world rob you of that blessing. Seek a godly spouse, commit for life, and watch God multiply your influence through your children.”

Charlie’s personal example inspired many. He and Erika balanced his demanding schedule with family devotions, teaching their children to pray and memorize Scripture. At events like the 2024 “Student Action Summit,” he hosted panels on biblical courtship, warning against the pitfalls of modern dating culture.

“Young men, be providers and protectors as God commands,” he advised. “Young women, embrace your role as helpers and nurturers (Genesis 2:18). Marriage isn’t a burden; it’s a divine calling.”

His message resonated amid America’s family crisis, with young attendees reporting how his words prompted them to pursue purity and commitment. Even critics acknowledged Charlie’s consistency; he didn’t just preach family values—he embodied them, refusing extramarital temptations that plague public figures.

As we reflect on Charlie Kirk’s life, cut short at age 31, we are reminded that “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church” (Tertullian). His assassination at the hands of a deranged assailant, Tyler Robinson, highlights the cost of standing for truth. Yet Charlie’s death amplifies his voice, calling Christians to redouble our efforts.

He leaves behind a wife, young children, and a movement that will continue empowering believers. Let us honor him by seeking first the kingdom (Matthew 6:33), delving into God’s Word daily, praying without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17), obeying His commands, and proclaiming the Gospel to the lost. Charlie Kirk ran his race well; may we follow in his footsteps, living fearlessly for Christ until He calls us home.

In the words of the apostle Paul, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

Charlie, rest in the arms of our Savior. For the rest of us, the work continues.