The sudden death of Charlie Kirk shocked many — politically, socially, culturally. Many believers feel deep grief.
But do you see what I see?
We are in an awakening. Was your church service full this week? Ours was. Churches are filling. Prayer gatherings are multiplying. Conversations about faith break out in unexpected places. People are turning to believers in their lives, and asking questions—seeking truth.
Charlie is still making great impact. In his death, he succeeded in a coup that would thrill him.
“They have no idea of the fire they have just started,” Ericka Kirk said in her speech after Charlie was so violently taken. It appeared to be in relation to Turning Point, and how she would build it and continue his legacy. But this truthful statement describes what is happening elsewhere, too.
I was not as torn apart as many seemed to be when this assassination of a martyr occurred. It was sad, absolutely, and I talked to several who felt greatly grieved. But a little trip to Heaven a bit over a year ago greatly altered my perspective—I knew God must be up to something big.
I did have to ask Him to forgive my shortsightedness. I initially wondered how many of Charlie’s followers would blame Jesus and even turn away from their faith, even as I prayed for that not to happen.
Faith Over Fear
But instead of people shying away from faith in fear, it appears that they are arriving in droves.
You see, God expands our blueprints beyond measure when they benefit and build His Kingdom. The results of this upsetting and untimely murder appear to have increased the needed components of the Great Awakening and Revival that waited on God’s timeline all along. The aptly named Apha (meaning beginning/first) Generation will play a huge role in this Great Revival in this season of the last days.
Searching for “return to church” on TikTok yields some amazing testimonials and stories. Not only have many videos been posted of mostly young (but not all young) people chronicling their return to church this week due to Charlie, but many who attended for their first time ever. Check out the comments in these videos! Comment after comment says “me too,” “I tried it,” “I went back,” “I’m glad I went too. I felt loved there.”
(GO, Church! Good for you!)
Here is one with over 161,000 views and more than 5,550 comments, many of which indicate that the viewers also attended. Others commented, promising to pray for the OP and encouraging her along on her journey.
Another woman posted, “I never thought this day would come again. My husband woke me and said: we are going to church.” God answered her long-term prayer through Charlie’s death. One gentleman recorded a line of people waiting to get into his church’s second service—he’d never seen that before.
CBS news reports that in Rocklin, Northern California, what should’ve been a midweek Bible study turned into a night of prayer as thousands gathered to remember Kirk. This is just one of many occurrences.
Kirk’s organization, Turning Point USA, received 18,000 new chapter requests after his wife Ericka spoke publicly for the first time since her husband’s death.
What has Charlie’s Life and Death Taught us?
Charlie, in his life and death, reminds us that:
Faithfulness in the small things matters. The courage to speak, to witness, to live out faith daily—is not always in spectacular places. Revival often begins quietly: in homes, in small churches, in conversations. God uses people who are faithful when no one is watching.
The importance of truth without compromise, spoken with love. People are increasingly hungry for truth—biblical, moral, spiritual truth—that doesn’t shift with public opinion. But that truth needs to be spoken with love, compassion, and humility—just as Jesus spoke it.
Suffering refines more than it destroys. In Scripture, martyrdom is not defeat, but testimony. The cross has always been paradoxical—reflecting death, and yet life; sorrow, and yet joy; the seed which dies bears much fruit. The pain of loss can deepen faith, sharpen resolve, and call others to Christ.
Community is essential. When tragedy strikes, the community can make all the difference. When people gather, share stories, pray, and worship together, faith is strengthened. Love is top dog. We are not called to lament alone.
Hope is never cancelled. Even amid chaos, God’s promises stand. Even when cultural forces become loud or oppressive, His love and grace still have power. May the death of one voice amplify many more.
What the world sees as defeat, God often uses as a victory seed. If you are deeply grieving this nation’s loss, I understand. But don’t forget that our Lord thinks eternally—He is directing moves from this loss to bring more of us to the Kingdom, as time is short. While the cross of Christ seemed like the end, it opened the doorway to eternal life. In the same way, one man’s death is pointing countless people toward the only Source of true, eternal hope.
Hang in there, my friends. He hears our cries. And He remains good, even as we scour the tough spots with all the elbow grease possible, and it still is not enough. He is doing a Great Thing.
Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness- and rivers in the desert.
– Isaiah 43:1
