God Is Using Charlie Kirk's Life and Death to Point People to Christ
"I deeply respect Charlie's life. [H]e's a man like no other. A man of courage, a man of conviction. A man that spoke the truth not only in the confines of a church environment, but he went literally to the public squares, to the universities where young minds were being shaped by professors. And he challenged what they were learning," and he "did it in such a way that he was mocked and he was cursed at. But he gave grace, and he gave truth to others." -Pastor Joe McTarsney of Calvary Chapel University
[WashingtonStand.com] I wonder how many of you had never heard of Charlie Kirk before his brutal assassination. Perhaps you only recently learned of him, or maybe you worked alongside him— directly or indirectly. Regardless, his name resonates now. He was taken from us in a vicious act of hatred, an evil that lingers in the heart. Some may have moved on, but for many, the wound remains raw, as they try to make sense of a senseless tragedy. This isn't just America's grief—the world is waking up to it. (Screengrab image: Memorial for Charlie Kirk in Arizona /via YouTube)
Such an act defies full comprehension. How could we, finite and flawed, grasp the depths of such evil? Fear, anger, and confusion can easily overwhelm us. Yet, my encouragement is this: stand firm. Not in your own strength or fleeting resolve, but in Christ—His unshakable character, His eternal purposes.
The Lord is weaving something profound through this tragedy, in ways we could scarcely have imagined or predicted. We should grieve the loss of a husband, father, bold truth teller, and brother in Christ. Yet, dear Believer, Charlie is now resting in the arms of his Heavenly Father. But you and I? We're still here, living in this temporary dwelling place. This means one thing and one thing only: God is still using us. God is still active. Look around and see it unfolding right before our eyes.
Across social media and news outlets, a groundswell is emerging. People are confessing, "I've never been to church, but I'm feeling a pull to attend a Sunday service." Friends and family have shared with me that their churches were overflowing this past Sunday, a phenomenon echoed nationwide. Alongside this, lifelong atheists and skeptics are turning to prayer and seeking out Bibles. Even those once aligned with the Democratic Party or liberal ideologies are declaring, "No more." Christians who shared Charlie's convictions are emerging from the shadows, no longer content to hide behind safe reputations or social media metrics. They're proclaiming, "I don't care if people reject me. This is the truth, and it must be heard."
It's encouraging to see this among everyday Americans as well as those with platforms. Forrest Frank, for example, is a fairly well-known Christian singer and songwriter—especially popular among Gen Z. He posted about Charlie Kirk and later revealed he lost 30,000 followers for it. His response? A resolute "Good." With unwavering conviction, he declared that he cares not for followers but for being a follower—of Christ—spreading the Gospel and standing for truth.
Turning Point USA (TPUSA), Charlie's organization, has been inundated with over 37,000 new chapter requests since his assassination. The New York Post reported this "would increase TPUSA's presence on campuses by nearly twentyfold." Google searches for TPUSA spiked dramatically—first after the tragedy, then surging 455% following Erika Kirk's first public remarks. Viral videos of Charlie sharing the Gospel on college campuses are spreading, and vigils honoring his legacy are being held worldwide.
In London, thousands flooded the streets, draped in British and American flags, holding signs that read, "We are all Charlie." In South Korea, videos capture crowds chanting, "We are Charlie Kirk!" In Canada, Fox News reported massive gatherings singing the US national anthem. Comments from Japan, New Zealand, elsewhere in the UK, and beyond echo the same sentiment: "We're hurting here, too."
This is a turning point. That's the overwhelming consensus. Charlie's work, which increasingly directed thousands to Christ, touched millions across generations and borders. I don't believe he ever could have known the impact he had. None of us could have fully grasped his impact until now, in the wake of his passing. (Screengrab image: via LiveNowNews / Turning Point USA)
I condemn the violence and hatred that stole him from us. Yet, I praise the God who redeems even the darkest evil for good. As Pastor Joe McTarsney of Calvary Chapel University said on Monday's "Washington Watch" with guest host Jody Hice, Charlie Kirk's death is stirring a lion in the hearts of Believers. "I was deeply internally impacted because of Charlie Kirk," McTarsney shared. "It was because of his life that I was infused with courage."
McTarsney went on to explain how, on behalf of him and his wife, "It was through Charlie and his ministry that we were awakened to the call to go to the public square and speak Biblical truth in a world that's filled with confusion and darkness." Charlie inspired them to act, to get involved by attending school board meetings and speak Biblical truth at their state capitol in California.
1 Peter 3:15 states, "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect." This, McTarsney rightly pointed out, is what Charlie did. "I deeply respect Charlie's life," he continued. "[H]e's a man like no other. A man of courage, a man of conviction. A man that spoke the truth not only in the confines of a church environment, but he went literally to the public squares, to the universities where young minds were being shaped by professors. And he challenged what they were learning," and he "did it in such a way that he was mocked and he was cursed at. But he gave grace, and he gave truth to others."
He referenced Ephesians 6:12, which states that "we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." This is a spiritual battle, he stressed. Charlie boldly took on the call to share truth. "Now," McTarsney emphasized, "I see God is redeeming this." Now, "there's thousands upon thousands of young Charlie Kirk's. They're going to rise up to their call and take the Gospel forward. I see they're not going to be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ."
What a powerful and inspiring testimony. For Christians reading this, I hope you understand we're living for "such a time as this." We're living in a moment that God can, and I pray does, use for revival. The author George Orwell once said, "In times of universal deceit, telling the truth will be a revolutionary act." Christian, let this define you. Proclaim truth unashamedly in a world drowning in lies. Stand firm when the world crumbles. Stand tall when evil threatens. Speak boldly, even when hatred seeks to silence you.
Oh, to be a truth teller. It's not for the faint of heart. Jesus didn't sugarcoat the reality that we will be hated for our faith. He never glossed over the fact that standing firm in His truth would be a tall order. But it is more than exceedingly worth it. It's what we were made to do. Ambassadors for Christ is who we were made to be. Speak the truth. May this be the horrendous tragedy that wakes you up to the fact that we cannot hide, shrink back, or refuse to push back against the lies, sin, and brokenness in this world. And before long, we will hear what we were always meant to hear: "Well done, good and faithful servant." We will be where we were always meant to be: in the arms of our Father.
That's where Charlie is now. He fought the good fight. He ran the race. We're right behind him, and soon, we'll rejoice together in eternity. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here
Sarah Holliday is a reporter at The Washington Stand.
