A prophetic goodbye? Inside Voddie Baucham’s shocking tribute to Charlie Kirk before his own death

When news broke of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s untimely death in 2025, tributes poured in from across the political and faith spectrum. Among the most heartfelt was from Pastor and theologian Voddie Baucham Jr., who wrote:

“You might kill the messenger, but you can never kill the message. Rest in peace, Charlie Kirk. May the Good Lord accept you both in Heaven. Amen.”

May the Good lord accept you both in Heaven, Amen 🙏 https://t.co/nJxgPiu0kv

— Voddie Baucham (@_voddiebaucham) September 12, 2025

You might Kill the messenger but you can never kill the message.

Rest in peace Charlie Kirk 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/L5VWUBhldk

— Voddie Baucham (@_voddiebaucham) September 12, 2025

At the time, Baucham’s words captured the shock and grief of a moment that felt almost unreal — the silencing of a powerful voice in America’s conservative movement. Few could have imagined that just months later, Baucham himself would also be gone, leaving behind a legacy just as forceful, controversial, and enduring as the man he mourned.

Charlie Kirk: The Messenger Cut Down Too Soon

Charlie Kirk rose to prominence as the founder of Turning Point USA, a conservative youth organization he launched in 2012. Known for his fiery campus speeches, media appearances, and direct engagement with cultural flashpoints, Kirk became a central figure in shaping the political views of a new generation of young conservatives.

He was unapologetically bold, often criticized for his rhetoric, but equally admired by those who saw him as a fearless defender of free speech, religious liberty, and American values. By the time of his death, Kirk had become one of the most recognizable conservative voices in the United States.

His assassination in 2025 sent shockwaves through political and faith communities. For supporters, Kirk’s life symbolized courage, even when it came at great personal risk. And in that moment of tragedy, Baucham’s tribute gave language to what many felt: the man was gone, but the convictions he championed would live on.

Voddie Baucham’s Own Passing

Not long after penning those words about Kirk, Baucham himself faced the reality of mortality. On September 25, 2025, he died suddenly at the age of 56 following a medical emergency.

Baucham was a giant in evangelical circles — a pastor, theologian, and bestselling author whose books like Fault Lines and Family Driven Faith spoke directly to the heart of cultural and theological debates. He had served both in the United States and in Zambia, shaping churches and seminaries with his unapologetic defense of Scripture’s authority.

His ministry was marked by clarity and courage, as well as personal trials, including a near-fatal heart failure in 2021. Through it all, he remained steadfast in pointing others to Christ.

A Shared Legacy of Conviction

Though Baucham and Kirk operated in different spaces — one in the pulpit and theological academy, the other in politics and media — both were messengers who embraced controversy, stood unapologetically for their beliefs, and often paid a price for it.

Baucham’s words about Kirk — “You might kill the messenger, but you can never kill the message” — now feel hauntingly prophetic when read in light of his own passing. For both men, their deaths did not erase the impact of their voices. Instead, they reinforced the reality that movements built on conviction do not end with the lives of individuals.

Remembering the Men, Preserving the Message

Charlie Kirk’s message of political activism among youth and Baucham’s message of biblical fidelity may have emerged from different contexts, but both struck chords with followers who saw in them strength, clarity, and courage.

Today, their absence is deeply felt. Yet their lives echo the truth that messages rooted in conviction outlive the messengers who carry them.

As tributes continue, Baucham’s own words ring truer than ever — for Kirk, for himself, and for anyone whose legacy is built on faith and boldness:

“You might kill the messenger, but you can never kill the message.”

FAQ Section

Who was Charlie Kirk?
Charlie Kirk was an American conservative activist best known as the founder of Turning Point USA. He rose to prominence for his campus speeches, media appearances, and advocacy for conservative values among young people.

How did Charlie Kirk die?
Charlie Kirk was assassinated in 2025, a shocking event that sent ripples through political and faith communities.

What did Voddie Baucham say about Charlie Kirk’s death?
Baucham wrote a tribute that read: “You might kill the messenger, but you can never kill the message. Rest in peace, Charlie Kirk. May the Good Lord accept you both in Heaven. Amen.”

Who was Voddie Baucham Jr.?
Voddie Baucham Jr. was a pastor, theologian, and bestselling author known for his strong defense of biblical authority. He served as dean of theology at African Christian University in Zambia and later became president of Founders Seminary in Florida.

How did Voddie Baucham die?
He passed away on September 25, 2025, at the age of 56, following an emergency medical incident.

What books did Voddie Baucham write?
His works include Family Driven Faith, The Ever-Loving Truth, and Fault Lines, which became a bestseller for its critique of social justice ideology in the church.

What is the connection between Charlie Kirk and Voddie Baucham?
While operating in different spheres—politics for Kirk and theology for Baucham—both were outspoken figures known for bold convictions. Baucham’s tribute to Kirk became strikingly prophetic after his own death later that same year.

What is their shared legacy?
Both men left behind passionate followings. Kirk inspired a generation of young conservatives, while Baucham shaped evangelical thought on faith, family, and culture. Their voices were silenced, but their messages continue to resonate.