09/10/2026
Remembering Charlie Kirk — and the Work That Remains
To everyone who has supported our chapter, shown up to our events, shared our posts, had the difficult conversations, asked questions, stood up for what you believe in, and continued to fight for the things that matter—thank you.
As I reflect on Charlie Kirk’s life and legacy, I keep thinking about the incredible responsibility that has been left with all of us.
For a little over three years, I have been affiliated with Turning Point USA, and it has been one of the greatest privileges of my life to lead a college chapter here in Wake Forest, North Carolina. Through this chapter, I have had the opportunity to meet students and young people who genuinely care about the future of our country.
And I have watched Charlie’s influence reach people who may never have agreed with him at first.
He had an incredible ability to walk into a room, ask difficult questions, challenge people to think, and encourage young Americans not to be afraid of having convictions.
Charlie understood that freedom isn’t something we should take for granted.
He understood that a free country requires people who are willing to stand up, speak out, educate themselves, and participate—even when doing so is uncomfortable.
He wasn’t afraid of being criticized.
He wasn’t afraid of being mocked.
He wasn’t afraid of death threats.
And he certainly wasn’t afraid of standing alone.
But above all, Charlie was a man who professed to love Jesus Christ. His faith was not something he hid. He wanted his life to have eternal significance, and he used the platform he was given to reach people with conviction and zeal.
That is something I will always remember.
But as we remember Charlie, we also need to remember his family.
His wife is now carrying a burden that none of us can truly understand. She is grieving her husband while continuing to raise her children, love her family, and walk forward in faith.
So please, don’t forget to pray for her.
Don’t forget those children.
And don’t allow the noise of social media, conspiracy theories, rumors, hatred, or division to make us forget that there are real people grieving behind all of this.
Charlie left behind more than a political organization.
He left behind people.
Students.
Families.
Friends.
Leaders.
And an entire generation that was challenged to care about the direction of our country.
And that includes us.
To everyone who has supported this chapter: don’t stop.
Keep asking questions.
Keep learning.
Keep having conversations.
Keep standing for truth.
Keep defending the freedoms that generations before us sacrificed to preserve.
Keep encouraging your friends to become involved.
Keep speaking up about the social issues that matter.
And most importantly, don’t let fear convince you that your voice doesn’t matter.
You don’t have to be Charlie Kirk.
You don’t have to have millions of followers.
You don’t have to stand on a massive stage.
You can start right where you are.
In your classroom.
At your college.
At your workplace.
In your community.
Around your dinner table.
One conversation can change someone’s perspective. One person who decides to get involved can influence an entire community.
That is how movements continue.
That is how freedom is preserved.
And for those of us who profess Christ, may we remember that our ultimate allegiance is not to a political party, a movement, or even a person.
It is to Jesus Christ.
So let’s honor Charlie not simply by mourning what we lost, but by taking seriously the work that remains.
Let’s carry the torch.
Let’s serve our communities.
Let’s defend liberty.
Let’s love people—even when we disagree with them.
And let’s never become so consumed by politics that we forget the eternal purpose behind everything we do.
To everyone who has stood beside this chapter, encouraged me, supported our work, attended our meetings, shared our message, or simply believed that young people can make a difference:
Thank you.
This chapter exists because of people like you.
And the work continues.
Run your race. Stand firm. Don’t be afraid.
And above all, keep your eyes on Christ.
“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.”
— 1 Corinthians 16:13–14
