Franklin Graham, son of the late evangelist Billy Graham and president of Samaritan’s Purse, has weighed in on the tragic assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. Speaking to The Christian Post, Graham declared that the murder has exposed the Left’s determination to silence conservative voices but has ultimately “backfired” by sparking renewed interest in the Christian faith.
Graham’s words reflect a growing sentiment among conservative leaders that Kirk’s assassination in Utah was not an isolated act of violence but part of a broader climate of hostility toward outspoken Christians and conservatives. He warned that the real objective of the Left is to intimidate those who dare to challenge progressive orthodoxy.
“I think what the assassin was wanting to do, no question, has backfired,” Graham explained. “And what the Left is wanting to do is to shut the mouths of anyone who’s willing to speak out”.
The “Charlie Effect” and Rising Church Attendance
In the wake of Kirk’s death, a surge in church attendance across the United States has been reported, with some pastors calling the phenomenon the “Charlie Effect”. One America News confirmed that churches nationwide experienced noticeable increases in attendance the weekend after Kirk’s murder, with many congregants citing the young conservative’s testimony as an inspiration to reconnect with faith.
This rise in worship attendance underscores Graham’s assertion that attempts to silence Christian voices will only magnify their impact. “The opposite effect is taking place,” Graham said. “Millions of people are talking about Jesus Christ around the world right now because of Charlie’s witness”.
Kirk’s Final Message: Pointing to Christ
Just eleven days before his death, Kirk had tweeted: “Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life … Tell someone about Jesus this weekend.” Graham emphasized that Kirk’s death “put a huge spotlight on this truth” and reinforced his legacy as someone who consistently pointed others to Christ.
Kirk, though primarily known as a political activist, repeatedly used his platform to share his Christian faith, often urging Gen Z to turn from destructive lifestyles toward a relationship with God. Graham praised him for courageously proclaiming biblical truth even when it provoked anger from critics.
A Culture Growing Hostile to Christianity
Graham further argued that the climate of hostility toward Christianity has intensified. He noted that the term “Christian nationalism” has been weaponized by progressives to demean believers who simply want to practice and share their faith publicly.
“It’s another word to try to put you down, and to shut you up and to make you fearful of taking a stand,” Graham remarked. Yet, he insisted, Christians must remain bold in their witness, unafraid of being silenced or mislabeled.
The Generational Awakening
Recent surveys support Graham’s optimism. Barna’s State of the Church 2025 revealed significant increases in conversions among millennial and Gen Z men—15 percentage points among Gen Z and 19 among millennials compared to 2019. These findings suggest Kirk’s testimony may be part of a larger spiritual stirring among America’s youth.
“Young people are starting to wonder, ‘What’s life all about? It’s not a party; there’s an emptiness,’” Graham observed. “I think people are looking now, because drugs and sex and alcohol don’t satisfy”.
The Conservative Response
Conservatives across the nation have echoed Graham’s message, noting that Kirk’s death highlights the escalating dangers faced by those who resist the Left’s agenda. Many argue that the attempt to silence Kirk has instead amplified his voice, producing what some are calling a modern-day martyrdom effect.
Kirk’s murder has also reignited calls for accountability in addressing politically motivated violence, which critics argue is too often downplayed by mainstream media when the victims are conservative figures.
My Perspective
The assassination of Charlie Kirk represents more than the loss of a prominent conservative leader; it symbolizes the extent to which the radical Left is willing to go in silencing dissent. Franklin Graham is right to call this murder a backfire. Instead of stifling Kirk’s voice, his testimony is being broadcast louder than ever—through packed churches, renewed conversions, and a generation asking deeper questions about life and faith.
What we are witnessing is proof that the Gospel cannot be silenced by violence, intimidation, or political correctness. The more the Left seeks to marginalize Christians, the more the message of Jesus Christ shines. Kirk’s life and death now stand as a rallying cry for believers to stand firm, to speak truth without fear, and to resist a culture determined to erase biblical values.
Charlie Kirk will be remembered not only as a bold defender of conservative ideals but, more importantly, as a man of faith whose ultimate legacy is pointing countless souls toward Christ. His death, though tragic, has sparked what may well be the beginnings of a spiritual awakening—an awakening the Left never intended but can no longer stop.