Real America’s Voice – "THE ROAD FORWARD" (September 28, 2025)

Host: Ryan Helfenbein (filling in for Dr. Tim Clinton)
Guests: Dr. Zach Clinton, Amy Robbins, Virgil Walker, William Wolfe

Episode Overview

This episode of "The Road Forward" arrives in the wake of Charlie Kirk's assassination, a seminal and tragic event that has rocked the conservative and evangelical world. Host Ryan Helfenbein leads conversations with a range of Christian leaders, authors, and commentators to reflect on the national impact of Kirk’s death, the revival and unity it has sparked, its implications for evangelical churches and American society, and the next steps for a community confronting hardship and cultural division.
Key themes include the response of faith versus fear, the role of forgiveness, the unity of the church, shifting paradigms within evangelicalism, and the urgent call to action in American politics and spiritual life.

Major Discussion Segments

I. Honoring Charlie Kirk & National Reflection

Timestamps: 10:00 – 20:00

• Ryan Helfenbein frames the week as one of both mourning and spiritual renewal following Charlie Kirk’s memorial.
  • “The country witnessed goodness and beauty where in the wake of senseless violence and politicized killing, the right chose not to riot, but instead to worship the one true and living God… There’s truly no better picture of Romans, chapter 8, verse 28.” (10:50, Ryan H.)
• Scriptural encouragement—Romans 8:28—anchors the show: “All things God works together for the good of those who love him and who are called according to his purpose.”

Notable Quotes:

• “Worship is our weapon and its power was felt all across the nation and around the world.” (11:12, Ryan H.)

II. Dr. Zach Clinton: Christian Unity, Mental Health, & Flourishing

Timestamps: 21:00 – 40:00

• Dr. Zach Clinton joins live from the American Association of Christian Counselors World Conference in Nashville, describing a palpable spiritual unity among 7,000 pastors, counselors, and faith leaders.
  • “God is doing something special in this place… our hope and prayer… is that [attendees] would rejoice not in what happened here, but in who God is.” (22:00, Zach C.)
• Reflects on Charlie Kirk’s prophetic legacy and the concept of a national “turning point” catalyzed by his life and death.
• Expresses the significance of “unity” as the conference theme—a choice made back in 2022, seen now as providential.
  • “There is honestly, power in partnership. There’s comfort and courage and community. And that resilience is rooted in relationship.” (26:40, Zach C.)
• Discusses mental health crises, the church’s response, and AACC initiatives like “Walk Worthy” (addressing sexual addiction and purity) and “Helping Our Heroes Flourish” (supporting veterans and first responders).
  • “One of the greatest issues in the church… is pornography and sexual addiction. So how can we help equip resources for the church to do that very thing?” (29:30, Zach C.)
• On PTSD and trauma: calls for processing, not suppressing, trauma—with a nod to "The Body Keeps the Score" by Bessel van der Kolk.
  • “What trauma does… sometimes it puts us in this state of implicit memory where… we’re not just remembering a moment. It’s almost like we’re re-experiencing that moment all over again.” (33:23, Zach C.)
• Explains Liberty University’s Global Center on Human Flourishing and the biblical roots of “shalom,” “wholeness,” and “abundant life.”
  • “It’s not just about preventing human suffering, it’s about promoting things like flourishing, like resilience…” (36:10, Zach C.)
• Favorite Bible verse: 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (“aspire to live a quiet life, minding your own business, working with your hands…”).

Notable Quotes:

• “While fear is contagious, so is faith. Billy Graham says this, that courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.” (24:45, Zach C.)
• “I just want to be found faithful.” (38:50, Zach C.)

III. Amy Robbins: Forgiveness, Family, and Revival

Timestamps: 42:00 – 58:00

• Amy Robbins (CEO, Alexo Athletica; cultural commentator) reflects on attending Charlie Kirk’s memorial—a watershed for American faith and national discourse.
  • On Erica Kirk’s public forgiveness of her husband’s murderer: “It buckled me like I think it did everybody in that crowd… the only way that she was able to do that was because of the power of God… It was just so powerful to see.” (43:45, Amy R.)
• Discusses the outpouring of inquiries about Christ and faith resulting from the memorial, describing a real-time revival.
  • “I never in a million years would have thought that we would see a revival like this, not only in our country, but around the entire world.” (45:58, Amy R.)
• Emphasizes Erica Kirk’s sudden call to champion biblical womanhood and the nuclear family, highlighting her longstanding ministry and efforts (Bible365, prayer breakfasts).
  • “I cannot think of a better person to get the message across about biblical womanhood… It is going to transform women across this entire country.” (48:15, Amy R.)
• On faith’s growing prominence in public life: “You always knew there was an underlying faith component to Turning Point… but they really started to amp it up… to say the name Jesus Christ.” (52:00, Amy R.)

Notable Quotes:

• “Only God can take something that wicked and make and turn it for the good.” (46:32, Ryan H.)
• “Keep doing what you’re doing, just do more of it. If you’ve got a platform to speak the name of Jesus, do it.” (54:10, Amy R.)

IV. Virgil Walker: Evangelicalism at a Crossroads

Timestamps: 60:00 – 75:00

• Virgil Walker (Standing for Freedom Center; Just Thinking Podcast) dissects the current crisis and possible revival within American evangelicalism.
• Contrasts the “Keller model” of culture-accommodation with Charlie Kirk’s assertive, gospel-centered conservatism.
  • “The church felt very embarrassed about declaring God’s word… The idea was, let’s soften those stances, let’s kind of model a more accommodating approach… and what happens is the truth ultimately gets shielded.” (62:25, Virgil W.)
• Suggests a return to unashamed proclamation, declaring truth fearlessly.
  • “The winning move has always been the winning move. And it’s not simply because Charlie did it. It’s because Christ did it. And that is to tell the truth. Be clear about the truth. Love people in the midst of it. But, be a declarer of the truth.” (66:55, Virgil W.)
• Raises doubts about mainstream institutions’ willingness to genuinely adopt this approach, cautioning against “summer soldiers” who only stand for truth briefly.
  • “Are you willing to go out on your shield? That’s what our day and our time requires.” (70:10, Ryan H.)

Notable Quotes:

• “There are people who have their feet firmly planted in midair. These are people who are following the winds of change.” (68:15, Virgil W.)
• “If you’ll come to this rock, you’re welcome to it, but you better stand here, you better stay here, you better build here, you better fight here and be willing to die on this rock.” (72:05, Ryan H.)

V. William Wolfe: Response to Political Violence & Strategic Action

Timestamps: 78:00 – 92:00

• William Wolfe (Center for Baptist Leadership) joins to discuss hostility toward conservatives, media bias, and policy failures.
  • Hosts cite leftist celebration and mockery of Charlie Kirk’s murder from mainstream figures (e.g., Jimmy Kimmel), describing it as evidence of cultural and moral decay.
  • “The left plays hardball and the right rolls over over and over and over again. And that’s part of the reason why we are in the mess that we are in.” (86:15, William W.)
• Argues the left has a “monopoly on political violence in America” and calls for conservatives and Christians to pressure officials to take security and justice seriously.
  • “Christians… should be burning down the phone lines of their elected representatives… The right, our Republican leaders, need to act swiftly and seriously to protect American citizens from left wing terrorism in this country.” (89:00, William W.)
• Advocates not for vigilante justice, but energetic engagement with the state’s proper role—referencing Romans 13 and the need for government to be “a terror to evildoers.”
  • “The questions in front of us are not difficult or complicated… They’re ones of political will.” (91:15, William W.)

Notable Quotes:

• “The left is essentially at this point in America, like a spoiled, bratty, violent child having a temper tantrum... We need the government... to put an end to this, because that’s the only way that it will come to an end.” (91:00, William W.)

Memorable Moments & Overarching Messages

• The public, faith-centered forgiveness of Erica Kirk, echoing in personal testimonies and a reported revival.
  • “The only way that she was able to do that was because of the power of God, because of Christ in her life and because of her relationship with him.” (43:55, Amy R.)
• Widespread unity across denominations and political lines, even among nonbelievers, at the memorial.
  • “I’m seeing people who are not Christians making declarations of faith and trust in Jesus Christ and the gospel, which is fantastic.” (25:55, Ryan H.)
• A clarion call: Remain steady on truth regardless of cultural or institutional pressure.
  • “Be a declarer of the truth. Point to the light, point to God, and call people to repentance and faith in the one true and living God.” (68:45, Virgil W.)
• The show closes with encouragement to stand firm, walk boldly, and remember that “every faithful act of courage echoes into eternity.”
  • “Where do we go from here? Remember this. The war between good and evil is real, but our God has won the victory. So walk boldly, live faithfully, and never forget who is on your side.” (End, Ryan H.)

Episode Structure & Key Segments

| Segment | Topic Overview | Notable Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------| | Honoring Charlie Kirk | Memorial reflections, Romans 8:28, faith not fear | 10:00–20:00 | | Dr. Zach Clinton Interview | Spiritual unity, counseling initiatives, trauma, flourishing, living faithfully | 21:00–40:00 | | Amy Robbins Interview | Power of forgiveness, biblical womanhood/family, real-time revival | 42:00–58:00 | | Virgil Walker Discussion | Evangelical paradigm shift, declaring truth, resolve versus accommodation | 60:00–75:00 | | William Wolfe Conversation | Media/leftist response, call to action, government’s duty, standing for truth and justice | 78:00–92:00 |

Conclusion: The Road Forward

The episode weaves together grief, spiritual mobilization, and philosophical resolve, prominently referencing scripture and Christian duty in the face of tragedy—calling listeners to steadfastness, faith, and meaningful action. The conversations urge not just survival but revival, not retreat but advance, anchored in the belief that God “works for the good of those who love Him.”

Final Words:
“Every trial is temporary, every scheme of the enemy will fail, and every faithful act of courage echoes into eternity. The war between good and evil is real, but our God has won the victory. So walk boldly, live faithfully, and never forget who is on your side. Until next time. God bless you.” (End, Ryan H.)