Honoring the Real Saint Patrick: A Reflection on Our 2025 Kick-off Brunch

On March 8th, 2025, the Revive Ireland community gathered for a memorable and meaningful Saint Patrick’s Day Kick-off Brunch. It was more than just an event—it was a celebration of heritage, mission, and the living legacy of Saint Patrick. We were thrilled to welcome members of the Birmingham Irish Cultural Society and deeply grateful for the many guests who showed up in support of our work across Ireland.

The highlight of the morning was undoubtedly The Real Saint Patrick: An Irish Pastor Roundtable, a powerful virtual discussion featuring four dynamic pastors serving across the island of Ireland: Darren & Suzanne Jennings (Abbey Life Church, Northern Ireland) and Ciaran & Tracy Buckley (D24 Church, Dublin).

Together, they unpacked the life and legacy of Saint Patrick—not just the folklore of snakes and shamrocks, but the bold, faith-filled man whose obedience to God transformed a nation.

Here are a few standout moments and themes from the roundtable that deeply moved us:

🔥 Faith Fueled by Suffering

Saint Patrick’s calling was forged in hardship. Once enslaved by Irish pirates, his return to Ireland as a missionary was a radical act of forgiveness and obedience. The pastors reflected on how his personal suffering gave him empathy for the Irish people, shaping a ministry built on compassion and endurance. As Suzanne Jennings shared, “He could have returned with bitterness—but he came back with love and purpose.”

🧱 Building Communities, Not Just Churches

Patrick didn’t merely preach a message—he established communities. He planted churches, yes, but also started schools, trained leaders, and reshaped legal and social structures. He was, as Tracy Buckley said, “a man who genuinely loved people,” and the fruit of that love was transformation across every layer of society.

🔥 Lighting Small Fires

Darren Jennings reminded us that Patrick didn’t light one great fire—he lit small ones all across the land. In the same way, today’s pastors and church planters in Ireland are lighting fires of hope and faith in every community, one family at a time.

💬 Evangelism Rooted in Relationship

The Celtic way of evangelism is all about relationship. It’s slower. It takes time. But it’s authentic—and Irish people know how to recognize the real thing. “If we don’t genuinely love people,” Tracy shared, “they’ll spot it immediately.” Saint Patrick modeled a deep, relational ministry that resonates just as powerfully today.

🌍 Legacy that Echoes Through Generations

As we look to the future, the message from the roundtable was clear: it’s not just about walking where Saint Patrick walked—it’s about going further. “We’re not here to go back,” said Ciaran Buckley. “We’re here to build forward—on his legacy, in our generation.”

You can watch the full video here:  https://youtu.be/nBLHYsJh0Ro?si=bbJussGhxT78APhh

A Huge Thank You 

We want to thank every single person who joined us, prayed with us, and partnered with Revive Ireland through this event. Your support helps us equip and encourage local churches, empower Irish pastors, and fan into flame a spiritual renewal that echoes the very heartbeat of Saint Patrick’s mission.

We invite you to continue standing with us. Let’s carry this legacy together—lighting fires of faith, restoring identity, and believing once again that Ireland can be known as a land of saints and scholars.

Go raibh míle maith agat—thank you so much!

—Team Revive Ireland

Explore our mission or give at www.reviveireland.org