It’s been 13 days since one of the most influential political and religious figures of the 21st century was assassinated on a university campus in Orem, Utah.

September 10, 2025, will forever be branded as one of the most significant dates in contemporary American history. It will live in infamy alongside dates such as November 22, 1963, when the leader of the Free World was assassinated in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas. Events as monumentally upending as these have had vaster political and cultural ramifications in the days, weeks, months, and years that followed than few other singular events.  

There are some individuals whose impact cannot be measured in headlines or social media followers, but by hearts awakened, minds changed, and lives set on fire with purpose. In every era, there are ordinary individuals who rise to do extraordinary things — not because they are asked, but because they are compelled. Compelled by moral clarity, love of country, and the weight of truth.  

Charlie Kirk was one such individual. 

He wasn’t radical; he was traditional. He stood for the Constitution, believed in the greatness of the United States of America, and championed states’ rights. He believed the restoration of the family was the truest path to national prosperity, self-governance was the surest route to liberty, church-involvement in the public square is the only way to ensure morality governs, and the risen Son of God, Jesus Christ, is the only road to revival.

And it cost him his life. 

He fought for free speech in a time of censorship, civil discourse in a time of violent upheaval, conviction in a time of moral flippancy, clarity in a time of chaos, and courage in a time of intimidation and fear. 

And it cost him his life. 

He was fearless in the face of confrontation, unwavering on principle, and a fierce defender of the truth as the cornerstone of human flourishing. 

And it cost him his life.    

He didn’t simply fight in the arena of politics — he brought truth where lies had settled, light where darkness had claimed dominance, and hope where many had none. His life was not simply about politics — it was about a calling. A mission rooted in three eternal pillars: faith, family, and freedom.

And. It. Cost. Him. His. Life. 

Two days ago, I had the honor of attending Charlie’s memorial in Glendale, Arizona. The event was a powerful rallying cry for the principles for which he gave his life. Centered in nearly every speech delivered was the gospel message — from his personal friends to U.S. heads of state. 

Nothing defined Charlie more than his unwavering faith in Jesus. The most beautiful reflection of his relationship with Christ was his wife’s powerful message at his memorial that will forever be etched into the annals of time. Referring to her husband's killer, she whispered through tears, 

“I forgive him.”

This moment was surely a testimony of Charlie’s crowning glory. Faith, forgiveness, family, and freedom. It’s who he was and who he will forever be remembered as.      

Though I was not taking any photos at the memorial as I wanted to be fully present to celebrate Charlie’s life, I did capture this one moment. As one of my favorite worship songs, titled “Gratitude,” played, I looked over the sea of people who had come from all around the country — even the world — to celebrate and honor Charlie’s life, and my eyes fell on this young man.

This is Charlie’s legacy. 

People with lifted hands. Young people with lifted hands. A nation with lifted hands. Revival.  

The enemy trembles at a restored family, churches involved in politics, truth being proclaimed to young people, and Christian’s living boldly for Jesus. These are the things Charlie gave his life for, and that means we now have a mandate.

Something sacred happened when Charlie was assassinated.  

An entire generation was called upon to make a choice: retreat into silence and let the narrative of culture and politics be rewritten to favor tyranny, or rise — fearless, regardless of the cost — to carry the torch of faith, family, and freedom. 

I choose the latter.    

Charlie may be gone, but his mission remains more powerful than ever. So let this be the generation that does not forget, that fights, and that preserves the truths and liberties we hold dear — the ones he gave his life for. Last year, Charlie had warned, “History will judge this generation by what we did in moments of crisis.” 

Well, this is that moment.

Let’s carry on his mission with boldness, not bitterness, and refuse to compromise just as he never did. 

Talking with liberty lovers from all around the United States and the world at the Memorial reminded me of a 1988 Ray Boltz song. The lyrics tell the story of a man who is in heaven after having lived faithfully for God from an observer's perspective. People came up to the faithful man and shared with him the stories of why they, too, were in heaven — because of him and his service to Jesus. They all ended their stories by saying, “Thank you for giving to the Lord — I am a life that was changed. Thank you for giving to the Lord, I am so glad you gave.”  

Boltz goes on to write from the observer's perspective of the faithful man: “And I know that up in heaven, you're not supposed to cry. But I am almost sure there were tears in your eyes as Jesus took your hand and you stood before the Lord. He said, ‘my child look around you, for great is your reward.’”  

Charlie, thank you for giving to the Lord. There were so many lives that were changed because of you. Great is your reward. Well done, good and faithful servant of the Most High God. We will take it from here. 

We are Charlie Kirk.