Sarah Breuel is stepping back from her role as director of Revive Europe, an evangelistic initiative focused on sparking Christian revival among students across the continent, citing a recent call from God to spend more time with her family.
The news has been confirmed in a personal message by Breuel in a Revive Europe news update sent today (May 6).
Breuel, a Brazilian national, is known for challenging delegates at the Fourth Lausanne Congress for World Evangelization in Seoul, Korea, last September to prioritize forgiveness in preparation for revival, as previously reported by Christian Daily International. She was the chair of the 2016 Lausanne Younger Leaders Gathering, and co-leader with her husband René of a church plant in Rome, Italy.
“Saying yes to Jesus—whatever He asks—is the greatest value in my life. In the last years, I sensed He asked me to pursue revival among university students in Europe, and I have given him my wholehearted yes,” wrote Breuel, calling it “a privilege of a lifetime to serve this movement.”
”Some days ago, to my surprise, He asked me to lay it all down, and take time away to focus on my family. I want to respond to him with the same wholeheartedness. For this reason, I have decided to step back from public ministry, including the leadership of Revive, and any speaking engagements.”
Revive Europe continues under the leadership of an “outstanding Board” led by David Patty, with supportive staff — Breuel reassured supporters.
“Jesus—you will always have my yes. You will always have my Hineni (Here I am),” she added.
Dave Patty, Board Chair, Revive, paid tribute to the hard work of Breuel, saying she had carried a vision of revival among European students “with great passion and deep commitment for the past eight years.”
“This has resulted in three powerful gatherings of thousands of young adults, two in Karlsruhe and one in Krakow,” wrote Patty. “From the conferences it became a Movement, drawing together a gifted team of 43 full and part-time staff who are working to fuel revival across the region. It has also birthed the organization called Revive, which is now over two years old.
“As a Revive board we are very grateful for the vision and outstanding leadership Sarah has given to this effort, and see tremendous fruit in what God is doing across the region. We honor and support Sarah’s decision to step away from her leadership role to give full attention to her family for the next season. Please be assured that this is not a disciplinary issue or a moral failure, but a courageous step of obedience to Christ.”
Various leadership roles have been confirmed to continue the “ongoing effectiveness of this ministry,” with Patty confirming the full commitment of the board to the work and confidence in the core team built by Breuel in the past three years. “Various board members will be roles in the interim to give more support to this team,” he confirmed.
These positions are: Zef Nikolla, General Secretary of BSKSH (IFES Albania), will function as interim director, handling external relationships; Jon Burns, chief executive officer of Greater Europe Mission, will coach the core team; Hester Zoutman, Conference Director for the last two editions of Revive will function as the team leader. Board members Luke Greenwood (Steiger), Andreas Nordli (YWAM), and Ian Nicholson (24/7 Prayer) will also be engaged in various ways.
“We’re pleased to confirm that preparations for the Revive 2026 conference are moving forward with strong momentum,” said Patty. “The venue in Krakow is secured, and the team in place. We will also continue hosting smaller gatherings such as retreats, cohorts, and the Revive discipleship training school (DTS).
“Continue to pray with us that God would work powerfully through this next generation to revive their hearts, revive their universities, and revive Europe, to the glory of God.”
Revive Europe has just trained and released 100 emerging leaders ahead of the upcoming Awakening Project gathering in London this spring. A three-day event from April 30 to May 2 in Hackney, London, brought together student revival leaders and supportive adults for worship, prayer, teaching and fellowship. Organizers describe the Awakening Project as a unifying network aimed at mobilizing and equipping young leaders with a passion for spiritual renewal across Europe.
