Commentary: The fires of revival have been ignited in the martyrdom of a 31-year-old Christian visionary

Something is happening in America that I have not seen in my lifetime and that is the nation’s response to the death of Charlie Kirk. I remember in meticulous detail the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, civil rights leader Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Senator and presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, but this assassination of 31-year-old Charlie Kirk seems to be different and the nations’ response to his death is quite remarkable.

Charlie Kirk was the founder of Turning Point USA, and a very high-profile conservative activist and media personality. Most of all he was an unashamed Christian who never hesitated to testify of his salvation experience with authenticity and conviction. The college students of American and many other countries around the world followed his movements and messages with remarkable interest and responded affirmatively to his declarations of faith and freedom.

In Turning Point USA, Kirk mobilized the largest grassroots organization in the nation. While millions of young adults followed this young champion of truth and righteousness, he was a polarizing figure to others. While he was a social and political conservative, the predominant characteristic of his life and the fundamental focus of his message was the salvific power of Christ, his Savior and Lord.

For that reason, at one vigil where thousands of students had gathered, one person held a placard with the words, “Not murdered but martyred.” I can believe that Charlie Kirk was so surrendered to Christ that he became a martyr for the Christian faith.

When Erika Kirk, Charlie’s wife, spoke after his death, she said, “Now and for all eternity he will stand at his Savior’s side wearing the glorious crown of the martyr.

The Kirk couple obviously have not been unmindful of the teachings of Jesus concerning the cost of discipleship. The Savior said, “if anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24 NKJV). The Christian life is an invitation to a death march, because in Jesus’ day, when a man took up his cross that was what he was doing. We may like to think of the Christian life as all peaches and cream, but God’s Word also says, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (II Timothy 3:12 NKJV).

If we are not suffering for Christ in some way, perhaps we should examine the legitimacy of our faith and the degree of our devotion to the One who took our place on Calvary’s cross.

Many, commenting about Charlie Kirk’s death, vilified him, mocked him, condemned him, but I think they were doing nothing more than revealing their own depraved and perverted nature.

When Charlie Kirk spoke he said, “I want to establish a grassroots organization in our nation that will galvanize and motivate the youth around a core set of ideas, not a political party or politicians, but the idea that America is the greatest nation in the world, the Constitution is the greatest document ever written, and free enterprise is the greatest way to deliver people out of poverty and create prosperity for all.”

However, undergirding his philosophy of life and his purpose on this earth was his profound faith and he spoke constantly of his love for Jesus and his desire to be a courageous Christian. He shut off his cell phone on Sunday so he could focus on Christ, the significance of the Lord’s Day and worship Him in spirit and truth.
In fact, after the senseless assassins’ bullet took Kirk’s life, one college student declared, “I have not been going to church, but I am going on Sunday. I will shake the pastor’s hand and tell him that Charlie Kirk sent me.” Perhaps that happened more times than anyone could count.

Franklin Graham testified, “Charlie Kirk was not afraid or ashamed to speak about his faith. Watching him made me want to be even more bold. I pray that tens of thousands of young people will pick up Charlie’s banner and courageously speak truth in a culture that tries to deny God’s truth.”

Terry Shilling, President of American Principles Project stated, “The fall of a titan is never silent. It is a seismic shock, a void where a clarion voice once rallied millions. Charlie Kirk's assassination is such a moment, leaving a deafening silence that will echo for a generation.

Erika Kirk added to her remarks after her husband’s death, by saying, “For the evildoer(s) responsible for my husband’s assassination, you have no idea what you have done. You hated Charlie because he preached a message of patriotism, faith and God’s merciful love. But you should know this – if you think my husband’s mission has ended, you have no idea what you have just unleased upon this entire country and world. You have no idea of the fire you have ignited within this wife. The cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry.”

Erika vowed that the movement that her husband started will not die. As of the writing of this commentary Turning Point USA has received over 37,000 inquiries for new campus chapters.

I saw the Jesus Movement that took place in the early 1970s. It was a time of revival in segments of our nation, but I predict that what we are about to see because of the influence of this fallen Christian hero and his wife’s determination to continue his mission will exceed all expectations in this nation and other nations as well. Pray for God to use the death of this martyr to usher in from heaven a weeping, reaping, sweeping Christian revolution.

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J. Gerald Harris is a retired pastor and journalist who served as editor of The Christian Index for nearly two decades. You can reach him at gharris@loveliftedmehigher.org.