I did not know Charlie Kirk well, but I knew enough that I loved him and his family as much as loving what he stood for.
Charlie and I first met at a political meeting in 2019. Soon after, I helped him set up the Falkirk Center (partially named after Charlie) at Liberty University. The Falkirk Center remains today as the Standing for Freedom Center. It was through the Falkirk Center that I met his then fiancée and later wife Erika, a truly wonderful person.
Charlie and I remained in touch after the founding of the Falkirk Center, albeit infrequently, regarding issues of the day; discussing a Soldier who needed a pardon after he was Deep Stated, foreign policy and other issues. But he was never far from my mind. During the many nights when sleep is hard to come by, Charlie’s videos were amongst my playlist and it was a reminder to pray for him and his dear wife.
Charlie was a committed Christian and his faith in Jesus leaves no doubt where Charlie is today. His faith also emboldened him on earth to call evil for what it was.
When first hearing of Charlie’s shooting, I was across the street from the World Trade Center with two people; a woman who lost her husband that day 24 years ago, only four days after giving birth to their youngest child and a great Christian man and firefighter who lost his best friend on September 11, 2001.
Never would any of us have thought the moral clarity of that day 24 years ago, when evil was called out for what it was, would fade but sadly it has. Sadly, it took the assassination of Charlie Kirk to once again bring a moment of moral clarity for a nation that so desperately needs it. Yet, Charlie Kirk was there for over a decade, not only speaking moral clarity but actively turning the forces against it on its head.
Charlie was the biggest threat to the leftist establishment other than Donald Trump. Charlie was dangerous because he proved you did not have to have a college education to succeed in America, whereas the left wants its outdated indoctrination centers going. Yet, Charlie went to those leftist feeder schools known as the American college campus and took the leftist establishment straight on. Speaking clearly and thoughtfully, he emboldened conservatives and even converted more than a few who disagreed with him.
Charlie died doing what he loved, on the college campus. The last word out of his mouth was a lament of “violence” and Charlie’s murder is a literal turning point. We do not need to have another September 11 (and now sadly a September 10) to remember what moral clarity, free speech, and to disagree in peace is.
All we need to do is live the principles of freedom that are God given and that Charlie Kirk gave us the courage to speak. We will continue to speak freedom. We will continue to speak peace. We will continue to honor faith. In doing so we honor Charlie and we follow Jesus.
Like Jesus, Charlie Kirk gave the greatest gift that one could give; his life. This young man changed the world, a world that is smaller without him.
Erika has lost her husband. Children have lost their father. I lost a strong colleague, friend, and Christian brother. America has lost a hero in Charlie Kirk. However, what Satan meant for evil will be turned on its head and God will continue to win always. You can rest now, friend. We will take it from here.
*Views expressed in this article are those of the author and not any government agency.