Urgency, Martyrdom, and the Next 25 Years: A Wake-Up Call to Christian Men
By Joel Settecase / October 16, 2025
Two men. Two deaths. A 25-year gap. What if that’s all you have left? In the face of rising persecution and a surprising Christian resurgence, this is a call to urgency. The next generation of Christian men must rise now—with conviction, courage, and clarity. Here's how.
Today, we’re going to talk about urgency. And I want to start by asking you a question:
What are you going to do with the next 25 years?
As the president of the Think Institute, I get to work with a lot of brothers in Christ—most of whom are younger than me. We’ve got guys in the Think Squad and the Hammer and Anvil Society who are older, but the majority are in their early 30s or late 20s.
I can’t stop thinking about the martyrdom of our brother in Christ, Charlie Kirk, who was only 31 years old. There was another death this past month—another brother in Christ—who was exactly 25 years older than Charlie. Today, I want to talk about that difference, what we can learn from both of their deaths, and what the Lord might want us to do, especially as younger millennial or older Gen Z men.
So, what if you only had 25 years left? What would you do for God?
This article is commentary, but it isn’t just commentary. It’s a wake-up call. I believe God is waking up the men of America right now—Christian men, yes, but even non-Christian men—drawing them to Christ, to church, and to His plan for them. It’s an amazing thing to witness.
Reflecting on Martyrdom and Legacy
Let’s talk about Charlie Kirk’s martyrdom and its impact. I came across an article by Kenna Hartian in the Echo News—a publication from Taylor University. I originally thought it was a secular, left-leaning outlet, but it turns out it's a Christian college publication, which makes it all the more compelling.
Kenna opens with:
"Watching a man die for his beliefs was the first time many American Christians had to seriously consider giving up more than comfort for their faith."
Nicholas Curtin Johnson, the Lloyd Chair of Political Science at Taylor, said that the prospect of losing your life for your faith makes you examine it in a different way. Kirk, 31, founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot during his American Comeback Tour.
It’s a striking phrase—“American Comeback Tour.” In many ways, that phrase encapsulates what Charlie Kirk’s martyrdom has sparked: a comeback, a revival.
Kirk was known for civil debate and standing for democratic values. Curtin Johnson described the attack as a direct affront to core American ideals. More than that, it forced Christians to confront the real cost of public faith—not just social exclusion or job loss, but death.
This isn’t new in church history, but for many in our time, this is the first time we’ve witnessed such a cost in America. With Kirk’s death, the rubber meets the road.
What’s interesting is how this didn’t play out the way I expected. I thought we’d see more government oppression, a hostile culture, and widespread persecution. Instead, we’re seeing a Christian resurgence—one with a distinctly Reformed, even Baptist, flavor.
Gen Z is coming back to church. We’re seeing the rise of a gospel-centered, biblically grounded movement. The rise of the "nones"—the religiously unaffiliated—has slowed or even begun to reverse.
Yet persecution is increasing.
This brings up Aaron Renn’s “Negative World” thesis, which suggests we’ve moved from a time of cultural Christianity (Positive World), through tolerance (Neutral World), into outright hostility (Negative World). Even amid resurgence, hostility continues. Those who hate the truths of Scripture are growing bolder, and Charlie Kirk’s death proves we may be called to suffer—even die—for our faith.
But how do we respond?
We don’t wage war as the world does. Our battle is spiritual—not against flesh and blood. We put on the armor of God. We fight through prayer, evangelism, apologetics, and spiritual leadership.
The Most Widely Viewed Gospel Event in History?
Did you watch Charlie Kirk’s memorial? Many did. According to Texas Insider, it was likely the most widely viewed gospel presentation in history: over 100 million streamed it; 277,000 attended in person.
Even political figures—Marco Rubio, Donald Trump Jr.—presented the gospel clearly and biblically. They talked about the grand narrative of redemption: creation, fall, redemption, and restoration. Regardless of their personal faith, God used them to proclaim His message.
Why would God allow such a moment to reach so many people? Because He’s doing something now.
Vodie Baucham and the Question of Time
The other death I mentioned? Vodie Baucham Jr., 56, passed away from a medical emergency. A pastor, theologian, and apologist, Vodie was a titan of faith.
He wasn’t the greatest theologian or apologist in the world—but he stood firmly for biblical authority, and his writings (like Expository Apologetics and Fault Lines) influenced countless believers.
He has now, as his ministry said, “left the land of the dying and entered the land of the living.”
Which brings me back to the number 25. If you're 31 years old, like Charlie Kirk was, and you live to 56, like Vodie Baucham, then you may have 25 years left.
Think back 25 years—your earliest memories. That time went quickly. The next 25 years will go even faster.
So what are you doing with the time you have?
Generational Shifts and Revival Movements
We are in the midst of a spiritual movement. The question is: will it fizzle, or will it explode?
Over the past 15 years, we saw the rise of the “Young, Restless, and Reformed” movement. Many rediscovered reformed theology, Calvinism, and a deep love for Scripture. Those guys are now in their 40s—my generation. I watched Mark Driscoll, John Piper, R.C. Sproul, and John MacArthur.
Now, we’re elder brothers. And a younger generation is rising—one that’s bringing suits back to church and embracing aesthetic and theological seriousness.
We’ve also seen major spiritual moments recently—the Asbury Revival, spontaneous baptisms across college campuses, and what some are calling the “Third Great Awakening.” Whether that’s historically accurate or not, young people see this time as a season of renewal.
Charlie Kirk’s death didn’t snuff out the movement—it poured gasoline on it. God is doing something.
Urgent Action Steps for Young Men
If you’re a young man and you’re asking, “What now?”—here are some urgent action steps:
Get Married and Lead Well
Ephesians 5 gives the blueprint. Love your wife as Christ loves the church. Marriage is a mission. Find a godly wife and pursue Christ together.Have Children and Disciple Them
Ephesians 6:4 says to raise your children in the discipline and instruction (paideia) of the Lord. Train them as citizens of the kingdom of heaven.Join and Commit to a Local Church
Hebrews 10:24–25 exhorts us not to neglect meeting together. Serve. Know your spiritual gifts. Be ready when your church needs you.Pray for Your Magistrates
1 Timothy 2:1–4 calls us to pray for our leaders—governors, sheriffs, school boards. Pray they seek God’s will. Get involved if you can.
This is our moment. The gospel is going out like never before. Will you respond with urgency? Will you take action?
What will you do with the next 25 years?
🔨 Ready to Forge Strength with Brothers in Christ?
If this message stirred something in you—if you're ready to stop wasting time, stand firm in the truth, and forge your life into a weapon for God’s glory—then the Hammer & Anvil Society is for you.
We're building a brotherhood of serious Christian men who are done playing defense. Men who are ready to lead, to train, and to stand shoulder-to-shoulder as we reclaim ground for the Kingdom of God.
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