Charlie’s legacy wasn’t just conservatism or politics. He said himself that he wanted to be remembered for courage in his faith. In his final days, he confessed openly that Jesus Christ lived a perfect life, was crucified, rose again on the third day, and is Lord.
That was the heartbeat of his message.
Since his passing, two names keep coming up as possible heirs to his role: Candace Owens and Ben Shapiro. Both are strong, bold, and influential voices in today’s culture. Both are warriors of truth in their own way. And yet, neither can carry Charlie’s baton.
Why? Because Charlie wasn’t just a political debater or conservative activist. He was more than that — he was a mentor, almost like a spiritual big brother to young Christians. He didn’t only want students to win arguments; he wanted them to build their lives on Christ. Without Jesus at the center, you cannot truly continue what Charlie built.
Now, I respect both Candace and Ben. I admire their sharpness, their courage, and even their respect for Charlie. But this one is different. Charlie stood for more than free speech or conservative values — he stood for the gospel truth: that salvation is only through Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). That’s why he urged young people toward faith, marriage, family, loving their country, and leaving a legacy rooted in God’s Word.
Why this point matters
Most public figures — even big ones like Martin Luther King Jr., JFK, Malcolm X, Reagan, or modern politicians on either side — might inspire speeches, rallies, or movements. But how many have caused people, after their death, to literally go out and buy Bibles?
That’s not just political impact — that’s spiritual fruit.
And think about the kids — boys as young as 12, 13, 14 years old — getting on social media, or standing in churches, and saying: “Charlie was my role model. I’m sad, but I want to live bold for Jesus like he did.” I can’t think of another leader in our time that pulled out that kind of open, unashamed testimony from the next generation. Not MLK, not JFK, not any modern politician. That is rare.
Why mention Candace and Ben?
I’m naming Candace Owens and Ben Shapiro here because they are the two names I see most often suggested as possible heirs to Charlie’s role. People naturally look to them because they are already well-known, bold, and influential voices in culture and politics. But influence alone does not qualify someone to carry Charlie’s baton.
And let’s not forget — God doesn’t choose leaders the way the world does. He doesn’t look first at fame, popularity, or platforms. In fact, those things often make people proud. God chose David, a shepherd boy overlooked even by his own family. He chose fishermen, tax collectors, and ordinary men to be the disciples of Jesus. God raises up the one no one expects, so that His glory is undeniable.
The Point About Candace
Candace Owens is a strong and fearless voice. She is sharp, witty, and unafraid of confrontation. She sees corruption and is bold enough to call it out, even when others remain silent. And I see her differently now, because she is speaking truths that many in the Church refuse to acknowledge.
Candace may continue to be a needed voice in this generation. But the baton of Charlie Kirk cannot simply be handed over to her or to anyone else. Only God appoints who will rise to that place, and only in obedience to Him can someone carry that weight.
And let me be clear: I am not God. I do not know if Candace may be the one He will use to impact young men and women in the way Charlie did. That is not for me to decide. What I do know is this — God’s calling is sovereign, and only the one chosen and obedient to Him will be able to carry Charlie’s kind of baton.
The Point About Ben
Ben Shapiro is a sharp, influential, and disciplined voice — but he is not a faith-based one. He speaks from the foundation of Jewish tradition and political conservatism, not from the gospel of Jesus Christ. That makes him a cultural and political spokesman, but not a spiritual one.
And here is the difference: no young man or woman is listening to Ben and deciding to run out and buy a Bible. His influence does not produce that kind of fruit. Charlie’s did. After Charlie’s death, teenagers and young adults openly testified that he inspired them to live boldly for Christ. That is not something Ben’s platform is capable of.
This is not to disrespect Ben’s intellect or his role in political debates. But the baton Charlie carried was not political — it was spiritual. Without Jesus at the center, no amount of sharpness or cultural influence can replicate what Charlie did.
Why neither can carry the baton
This is why Candace and Ben cannot simply step into Charlie’s place. Both are influential voices, both are strong in their way, and God may yet use them for His purposes. But Charlie’s baton was not built on politics, debate, or even courage alone. His baton was rooted in Christ.
Only someone who confesses what Charlie confessed — that Jesus Christ is Lord, crucified and risen — can carry that forward. Otherwise, it becomes something else: politics without the power of the cross.
Who will God raise up?
I believe God will raise up another. Someone like young David, who stood before Goliath with nothing but a sling and trust in the Lord. Or like Daniel and his friends, who stood firm in Babylon, refusing to bow to idols, even if it meant the fiery furnace or the lions’ den. A leader after God’s own heart, unafraid of giants, unshaken in trials, and rooted only in Christ.
Charlie Kirk carried his baton well — but the baton was never truly his. It belongs to Christ. Charlie was a runner in his generation, obedient to the call. Now the question is not, “Who will we choose to replace him?” but “Whom will God call and equip to take their place in the race?”
“Truth without compassion is cold; compassion without truth is empty.”
And make no mistake — one day, “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10–11)
So let us pray — not for a celebrity to rise, not for a politician to take the mic — but for God Himself to raise up another like Charlie Kirk: someone bold in truth, deep in compassion, and rooted in Christ alone. Amen.
Arete Gune: The Name on the White Stone 
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