For ages, it has been a taken-for-granted fact that young people hold more liberal views as they went through high school and college and then gradually shift in a conservative direction as they got married, had children, and gained in wisdom and maturity. 

The election of Barack Obama in 2008, however, underscored that the degree of leftward lurch on college campuses was approaching a point that would be hard to come back from. Our young people weren’t just “more liberal.” They were indoctrinated, unable to think critically, and harboring radical anti-American, anti-science, anti-history, and anti-faith views.

It was not far-fetched to see the incoming voting bloc and believe the America we knew was coming to an end, that we had so thoroughly lost our way, and that the radicalism of the next generation would be the end of our precious, faith-rooted republic.

Then along came Charlie Kirk, who offered a Turning Point.

The meteoric rise of Charlie Kirk, and the organization he built, represented one of the most rapid emergences in modern political history. He was a man equipped and built for the moment - who saw need and a challenge and rose up to meet it.

Charlie Kirk was confident. He entered every argument armed with facts and raw talent. And, he believed in his ability to challenge the status quo. At the time of his murder, Charlie had built one of the largest and most recognizable conservative organizations on the planet - up there with long-time standard bearers like Heritage Foundation and Alliance Defending Freedom.

Increasingly, though, Charlie changed from brash young conservative to joyful believer. His faith became more obvious and overt. His demeanor was anchored to the ultimate confidence and rest. His arguments became more distinctly Christian, and his mission seemingly expanded from a “more conservative generation” to a “more God-honoring one.”

This was a man who shaped our country’s political present and future, and he was a man who had macro and micro impact for the kingdom.

The reckless hate that brought Charlie Kirk out of this world and into the arms of His Savior is a reaction to what comes when the Gospel is brought to the hopeless. The Darkness always fights back against the Light. A good work was being done, and the forces who seek to mire our world in hopelessness, anger, and despair fought back.

But Charlie - and all who place their hope as he did - will see final victory. We serve a God who has won, is winning, and will win. There will be a kingdom victory that will ultimately snuff out the darkness and bring hope to all corners so that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

As we mourn Charlie Kirk and pray for those he left behind, we are resolved to carry the torch. At Frontline, this means building an organization of excellence, changing the way things have been done and confounding expectations, leaving no person unreached with the message, and being unashamed in pointing people toward Jesus as the ultimate source of hope.

Now is not the time to cower in fear or shrink back from the fight. To honor the legacy of Charlie Kirk, we must press forward, and we must do so without allowing ourselves to become consumed by responding with the same vitriol and hatred we see from those who opposed him.

Our team is committed to rising to meet this challenge - as individuals and as a ministry reaching our state and nation with truth. While Charlie’s senseless assassination leaves a void, we are confident that the God who recently told His servant “well done,” has a plan to raise up a generation of standard bearers ready to stand in the gap.

May He comfort and inspire our nation during this time.

Ready, Prayerful, and Resolved,