Fork Union Military Academy welcomed Dr. Tom Burkett, Head of School at Banner Christian School in Richmond, Virginia, to campus Wednesday morning as part of its ongoing Christian Leadership Series.

Established by Academy trustee David Barrett, the Christian Leadership Series invites accomplished Christian leaders to share their faith journeys and leadership insights with the Corps of Cadets. These talks are designed to strengthen students’ spiritual development and reinforce the Academy’s mission of building young men of character and purpose.

In his message, Dr. Burkett shared his personal story of ambition, disappointment, and faith. A passionate baseball player with dreams of going pro, his athletic path was cut short by injury during his college years. Though the setback was painful, Dr. Burkett encouraged cadets to see failure as a part of God's plan, not an endpoint.

“Sometimes, our dreams don’t work out the way we expect,” Dr. Burkett shared. “But that doesn’t mean God isn’t working. It’s okay to fail. God can use our failures to lead us to something greater.”

His message resonated with cadets, offering an authentic perspective on resilience, purpose, and trusting God’s plan, even in seasons of disappointment.

Stay tuned for the next installment of the Christian Leadership Series, as Fork Union continues to highlight voices of faith, perseverance, and leadership.