The American Anglican Council recently witnessed a meaningful milestone in its ongoing mission of renewal and encouragement: the first international Revive training, held in Northern Ireland. What began five years ago as a simple connection between Canon Mark and Rev. Andrew Irwin, rector of St. Paul & St. Barnabas in Belfast, has now borne fruit in a gathering that points to growing hope for the Anglican Church beyond U.S. borders.

Set against the backdrop of Northern Ireland, this training brought together clergy and lay leaders from several congregations, including St. Paul’s & St. Barnabas (celebrating its 175th anniversary), Christ Church Dundonald, St. Elizabeth’s Dungannon, and Ballyholme Parish in Bangor. These churches serve communities still shaped by the legacy of “The Troubles,” now navigating a more secular culture marked by “believing without belonging” and declining church influence.

Into this context, Revive offered both clarity and encouragement.

Canon Mark began by outlining the life cycle of the church, helping participants reflect honestly on where their congregations currently stand. He described the hopeful vision of “developed incline”—churches that are both present and future-oriented, grounded in vision, engaged in their communities, and seeing both conversion and transfer growth. At the same time, he spoke candidly about the reality of decline, where lack of growth can ultimately lead to closure.

The question posed was simple but searching: Where is your church in all this?

The responses revealed both realism and hope. Some acknowledged being “in between recline and decline,” seeing good things happening but struggling to rally around a shared future vision. Others expressed a deep longing for broader renewal, even imagining a national effort to open church doors for a full week, inviting people to take their next steps toward faith. What became clear throughout the day is that while challenges are real, hope is not lost. As Canon Mark reminded the group, church health takes time, but it is never too late for renewal.

At the heart of this renewal is something deeply personal. Before churches can invite others to “come and see,” believers themselves must experience vibrant life with Jesus. The mission begins not with programs, but with love—the same love that compelled Christ to come and save. If we are sent as He was sent, that love must be our motivation.

The conversations throughout the afternoon turned practical and forward-looking. What would it mean for evangelism to move from a “good idea” to a shared, non-negotiable commitment? What if churches truly oriented themselves around an outward-facing vision, asking how God wants to move in this place, at this time? And perhaps most poignantly: if a church ceased to exist, would its community notice?

Participants wrestled honestly with the realities of discipleship in today’s world—where lives are often messy and complex—and explored how to move beyond easy answers toward lifelong, obedient faith formation. The Revive “VITALs” provided practical pathways forward, grounded in the essential truth that lasting health flows from spiritual renewal. The day concluded not with quick fixes, but with a call to prayer and dependence on the Holy Spirit. True change, as was emphasized, cannot be manufactured. It must be sought together in humility and faith.

This first international Revive training stands as a sign of what God is doing across the Anglican Communion. Even in places marked by history, challenge, and cultural change, there is a growing hunger for renewal. Please join us in praying for the Anglican churches in Northern Ireland: Come, Holy Spirit—fill your Church in Northern Ireland. Empower your people to bring light into darkness, and renew communities with the love of Christ.