By John Van Der Brink
The death of Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, is likely to produce a “turning point” which he never could have imagined. Opponents of his ideology and values tried to silence his voice and limit his influence. Instead, they unleashed a spirit of support and recognition that reaches far beyond the college campus and the youth culture in which he conducted his debates. Americans everywhere and of all ages and backgrounds have recognized the cruel hatred which led to his his death, and many are for the first time listening to and supporting the conservative principles for which he debated.
Since the day Charlie Kirk died, his organization received over 60,000 inquiries to start new Turning Point chapters to promote the work he had been doing. Young people all across America are awakening to just how far leftist policies have been taking us. They are seeing that leftist policies have been leading to chaos and the and ruin to our society. Charlie’s death has sounded the alarm even after he is gone. His voice, though silenced, still is heard loud and clear.
So, what happens now? Charlie’s widow, Erika, was unanimously chosen as his successor as CEO of Turning Point USA. A determined and spirited young woman, she inherits a support group of over 500,000 followers who have donated over $389 million dollars since the foundation was established, and their enthusiasm for his cause has only increased since his death. Erika has made it clear that she is determined to carry on her husband’s work, and she has the finances and the support to do so. Clearly, if his opponents were seeking to counter his ideology and influence, they utterly failed.
God’s Word exhorts us to “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10. As chaotic as our society has become, God is still in control. Sometimes He works in ways that we would never expect. His hand in providence often moves in mysterious ways. Let us pray that He would cause good to come out of evil, and that He would even use this national tragedy to cause many to turn unto Him in true repentance, crying out unto Him for mercy and pardon, and to turn us back to the Biblical principles upon which this nation was founded.
John Van Der Brink, director of the Netherlands Reformed Christian School in Pompton Plains, New Jersey, and a member of the Board of Directors of Christian Council International (CCI)