In recent weeks, two men who left a profound mark on our nation stepped into eternity: Charlie Kirk and Dr. James C. Dobson. Though from different generations, both men dedicated their lives to championing truth, faith, and the next generation. Their examples remind us what it means to live intentionally and to steward our time and influence for lasting impact. Honoring the legacies of Charlie Kirk and Dr. James Dobson serves as a catalyst for us to seek to leave similar legacies.

Charlie Kirk: Mobilizing a Generation

Charlie Kirk’s life was cut short on September 10, 2025, but his influence will not be forgotten. Founding Turning Point USA at just 18 years old, Charlie mobilized a generation to engage with culture and leadership. He was passionate about equipping young people to embrace faith, freedom, and responsibility.

His energy, conviction, and boldness ignited thousands of students to think deeply about the values they held and to live courageously. In every speech, interview, and event, Charlie reminded us that the future belongs to those willing to stand firm in truth today. His life challenges us to consider how we are investing in those who come after us.

James Dobson: A Voice for the Family

Dr. James Dobson, who passed away on August 21, 2025, devoted his life to strengthening families. As founder of Focus on the Family and later Family Talk, he equipped countless parents with wisdom to raise children rooted in faith and character. His books and broadcasts reached millions of households, encouraging husbands, wives, and children alike to embrace biblical principles in everyday life.

Dobson’s legacy is not merely in organizations or airwaves—it is in the families who are stronger because of his counsel, the marriages renewed through his encouragement, and the children who grew up with parents shaped by his teaching. His steady voice reminded us that the family is God’s foundational institution for passing on faith and values. Today, that legacy continues to ripple across generations.

Stewardship Lessons from Their Lives

Both Charlie Kirk and Dr. James Dobson lived with clarity of purpose. Their examples offer timeless lessons about stewardship and legacy:

  • Live with Vision: Each man knew his calling and pursued it with persistence. Stewardship begins with knowing what God has entrusted to us and directing our lives accordingly.
  • Invest in People: Dobson poured into families; Kirk poured into young leaders. True legacy is found in people whose lives are changed.
  • Build What Lasts: Both men created institutions and movements that continue beyond their earthly lives. When we steward wisely, our influence multiplies even after we are gone.
  • Run with Urgency: Life is brief. Both Dobson and Kirk remind us that every day is an opportunity to live faithfully and leave behind something enduring.

Carrying the Torch: What Will Our Legacy Be?

As we reflect on these lives, we are reminded of our own calling. What will our legacy be? How will we steward the gifts, resources, and opportunities God has placed in our hands?

The passing of  Charlie Kirk and Dr. James Dobson is a sober reminder that our time is limited, but also an inspiring call to action. May we, too, live with conviction, invest in people, and build legacies that honor God and bless generations to come.

And may we prize the trophy of a crown of life more than any trophy in this life.

Dobson’s Legacy

A famous quote of Dobson reminds us to work toward a legacy that outlasts the trophies of this life:

“If you live long enough, life will trash your trophies.” 

As a college freshman, Dobson set a goal to get his name on an impressive tennis trophy displayed in the school gym. He went on to become the team captain and a successful player, earning the trophy for the “most valuable tennis player” in 1956 and 1958.

Years later, when he was invited back to speak at his alma mater, he found the trophy in a dumpster behind the gym. Someone had valued it so little that they had thrown it away. Dobson used this experience to teach that earthly achievements and accolades are temporary and will eventually lose their meaning. He stated that the only things that truly matter are “everlasting” things, like one’s character and relationship with God.

Kirk’s Legacy

When Charlie was asked what he prized most and what he wanted to be remembered for, he said:

“I want to be remembered for courage for my faith…that would be the most important thing; the most important thing is my faith.”

Behind those words is a man who understood that titles, influence, and platforms are temporary, but faith in Christ is eternal.

Courage is not the absence of fear—it is the willingness to stand firm in what matters most, even when it costs something. For Charlie, faith was not just a private conviction; it was the foundation of his calling and the legacy he wanted to leave. His desire to be remembered for courage in faith points us to a truth we all must embrace: that the way we live out our convictions today will echo long after we are gone.

In a world where many seek to be remembered for their accomplishments, wealth, or recognition, the words of Charlie Kirk and Dr. James Dobson remind us that the highest legacy is found in faith that inspires others to believe, stand, and live with an eternal purpose.

Yours for a Thriving Legacy,

Jeff Rogers