By Holly Sorell

October 2021, I remember taking my then 14-year-old daughter on her birthday to an event at one of the few churches in the area that had kept their doors open and let the congregants choose whether to mask or not during the draconian lockdowns.  Charlie was moderating a discussion ….Lily walked down to the microphone…I thought what in the world is she going to ask? I waited and then she asked her question, "How do us kids stand up for our faith and all of these mandates to  adults?"

Charlie’s response, "You will have to make a decision. You will have to decide to be a tough person….and that will be tough. People may mock you, call you names, ridicule you, and you may lose friends…but it will bless you beyond what you can ever imagine by standing up at a young age. You say what is TRUE and you DO NOT back down from it. Do it with a smile and the grace of God…you will be called names, you will be kicked out of social circles, and you will be ridiculed. But you will have new friends and be STRONGER because of it…you will go on a journey that you will be truly FREE….being someone that is not based on truth will NOT set you free…as soon as you make the decision to be and speak truth you will always remain FREE…and his last words….BE STRONG and COURAGEOUS…."

As we pause and reflect on the horrific tragedy of the life and death of TPUSA’s, Charlie Kirk, I find myself at a loss of words on how to express what we just witnessed. If you are  like me,  your heart is pondering how to make sense of a life taken out by a gunshot in front of a university campus and the eyes of the entire world. A "JFK moment" …perhaps even more tragic in that students were filming videos  and images went out  on social media in nanoseconds…graphic images we cannot unsee… so much trauma….How can we wrap our minds around such an act of wicked  behavior?

While we may never understand the act of evil that just happened, Charlie had a deep abiding faith that guided his vision and his life’s purpose. Charlie’s faith was the foundational framework on how he led TPUSA. I believe Charlie would want us to focus on our own convictions, love, and our patriotism for America. He would want us to continue talking through cultural issues, defending our values, and reach across the aisle inviting the opposing side to have a conversation.

As a mom of 2 Gen Z daughters and 1 Gen Z son, my heart is deeply grieved and yet filled with hope for their generation. Charlie was a leader of a bold and courageous movement that equipped and trained the younger generation on how to engage respectfully and intentionally with persons of opposing views. He went around the country modeling how to dialogue and debate in a respectful way with the goal of persuading the other person to rethink their liberal views. Charlie modeled what he preached. He valued his faith, family, and religious liberty. He demonstrated on a daily basis how youth and adults can and should ask questions, critically thinking through the noise and propaganda that lavishly bombards our woke culture.

As we remember Charlie, I can hear his voice saying, "Be bold, be courageous, and speak truth regarding faith, family, and freedom!  Never give up, never back down, never surrender. Our youth are the hope for the United States."

May God bless Charlie’s memory and may God bless America.

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Contact Holly Sorell at [email protected]