OPINION:
There are some events that are so monumental they come to define a generation. In many ways, conservative and Christian commentator Charlie Kirk’s assassination is one such moment.
His death a year ago very literally shattered the realities of so many young people — and even older Americans — who had come to admire his courage, willingness to engage ideological opponents and his unique talent for recounting facts and debating.
I’ll never forget the moment I learned Kirk had been shot. I was on a flight from Ireland to New York City after visiting a movie set when the texts on my computer lit up with shock and horror from friends in the political and media realms.
My Internet was wonky and I was getting sparse information, but I immediately had a sinking feeling. At first, I heard he had been shot, but it soon became apparent that something more sinister and dire had unfolded — and I was in horror.
As the minutes wore on, I remember wanting to crawl out of my skin. Once I saw the infamous video and friends confirmed details, tears overtook me. I wanted nothing more than to exit that flight, yet spent the next eight hours 30,000 feet in the air in deep prayer and reflection.
Kirk and my paths had crossed over the years. I had recently attended some Turning Point USA events, I had him on one of my shows, and we had texted here or there. His kindness always abounded, as that’s who Kirk was: jovial, kind, quick to respond and deeply caring.
Above all, he was a loving husband and father who cared about America’s past, present and future — and he was willing to give it all to protect those sentiments.
As we reflect on Kirk’s life and legacy, let’s remember some of the lessons his boldness and courage taught us all.
First, regardless of political proclivities, faith matters most.
On June 29, 2025, just months before Kirk’s assassination, “The Iced Coffee Hour” host Jack Selby asked Kirk a question: “If everything completely goes away, how do you want to be remembered?”
The Turning Point USA founder’s response was powerful.
“I want to be remembered for courage for my faith,” Kirk said. “That would be the most important thing. The most important thing is my faith.”
And that’s truly what defined him. One could easily see he was a political genius who was highly engaged in the Republican Party, but that’s not what drove him. Instead, it was his passion for truth and the Gospel — something that underpinned his many speeches and discussions on American college campuses.
It wasn’t about power, prestige or money. It was always about Jesus.
Second, Kirk proved that being bold is not only an important and beneficial trait, but it’s also the key vehicle for saving hearts and minds. After Kirk’s assassination, thousands of people who didn’t know much about his life and work discovered his viral videos for the first time and were deeply moved by many of his arguments.
Hundreds of those videos showed him on campuses and in other venues boldly debating young people and adults with whom he disagreed. Kirk showed up in difficult spaces, where he used compassion and logic to poke holes in nonsense and to rally people around truth.
His decision to be present in these arenas changed hearts and minds. There are many people today whose political positions were transformed and who, more importantly, discovered Jesus’ love, because of Kirk’s courage and boldness — and that’s a powerful lesson for us all.
Third, Kirk proved that there’s a dignified way to engage our ideological opponents. As he came closer to the end of his life, it was abundantly clear that faith was the driving force behind his every move.
And there are many examples of Kirk engaging with hostile individuals who approached him with less-than-stellar intentions. Not only did his kind approach disarm them, but he also often took the time to see their humanity and engage them on the merits of their arguments.
Kirk didn’t use cheap tricks, crude reactions or viciousness to make his points. This not only honored his opponents’ humanity, but it also added credence to his arguments, because the interactions were predicated upon fact-based exchanges, not emotional whims.
It’s one of the reasons he was so effective at changing hearts and minds.
Ultimately, Kirk was a glue in the conservative and Christian movement — a young man with abundant promise and unique abilities to engage. His assassination was a loss to humanity and American culture, but his legacy of faith is one that must inspire us to each do better.
Rest in peace, Charlie. You truly were a good and faithful servant.
• Billy Hallowell is a digital TV host and interviewer for Faithwire and CBN News and the co-host of CBN’s “Quick Start Podcast.” Mr. Hallowell is also the author of four books.
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