Your Failure is Not Final: A Message of Hope - Corné Bekker

At our recent Vanguard Ministries Conference, we were deeply blessed by a powerful message from Dr. Corne Bekker—a trusted voice in both academic and spiritual leadership. His message on “finishing well” was more than just a leadership talk—it was a prophetic challenge to the Church in this moment. Corne reminded us that true leadership is not just about gifting or skill, but about integrity of heart and character.

In his message, Corne identified three critical reformations God is bringing to His Church today: a return to orthodox faith, a renewed focus on worship, and a reformation of the true nature of ministry. These aren’t surface-level adjustments; they are deep, Spirit-led realignments. I believe every church leader, pastor, and disciple-maker should sit with these truths and prayerfully consider where God is leading us next.

What moved me most was how Corne used the story of Peter’s denial and restoration in John 21 to illustrate the heart of true ministry. Peter—broken, ashamed, and uncertain—is met by the resurrected Christ not with judgment, but with restoration. Jesus didn’t ask Peter to perform or prove himself. He asked one simple question: “Do you love Me?” That’s where ministry begins—not with performance, but with love and grace.

Corne powerfully emphasized that God seeks us before we repent, and that He often brings healing right at the scene of the crime—the place of our greatest failure. What a picture of the gospel! It’s grace that restores us, and from that restoration flows our call to tend to others—to feed His lambs and walk in surrendered obedience.

This message was one of the standout moments of the conference. If you haven’t watched it yet, I urge you to take time to do so. You’ll be reminded that no matter your past, God isn’t done with you—and He’s calling all of us to finish well, with hearts fully His.