One year ago today, Charlie Kirk was killed.

I’ve thought a lot since then about courage, conviction, and what it actually costs to stand for truth.

I spent over 16 years as a pastor. I preached the Gospel, loved people, watched lives change, and watched our culture change too. I watched as things that were once obviously wrong became celebrated, and things that were once obviously true became controversial. And far too often, the Church remained silent.

I don’t want to be silent anymore. That’s a huge part of why I now serve as church engagement director at Idaho Family Policy Center.

Charlie Kirk’s life was cut short in the most tragic of ways. But he used the time that God gave him well.

Like Charlie, I want to spend the time that God has given me encouraging pastors, strengthening churches, defending families, protecting children, standing for the unborn, and reminding Christians that our faith was never meant to be confined to Sunday morning.

Taking a stand has a cost.

Truth will sometimes sound like hate to people who have decided that love means affirmation. Biblical conviction will be called intolerance. Courage will be called extremism. And standing firm may cost us friendships, opportunities, reputation, or comfort.

Stand anyway.

Not with hatred. Not with arrogance. Not because we need to win every argument. Stand because truth matters.

Speak the truth in love. Refuse to bow. Refuse to retreat. Refuse to hand our children a culture that we’re too afraid to confront.

Charlie’s death was a sobering reminder that courage can come with a tremendous cost. But fear cannot determine our obedience.

Keep fighting the good fight.

And when the world tells you to sit down and be quiet, remember that our ultimate goal is not to win the approval of the world—it’s to be found faithful before Christ.