09/08/2026
An invitation from Fr. Joash Thomas
Dear Friend of SSU,
I’m Fr. Joash Thomas and I have the honour of recently joining the SSU community as our Director of Fundraising & Advancement and Instructor in Public Theology, Peace & Justice.
I come to SSU after 11 years in the international human rights space where I served in a variety of leadership roles. It was while I was in this space that I first came across SSU - specifically through its students and alumni - they are *everywhere* across the global justice advocacy and church space!
In fact, for 1-2 years before coming on staff here, I would say to others: “If I were to get my master’s degree in theology or leadership anywhere all over again, it would undoubtedly be at SSU.”
When the opportunity arose to join our SSU Core Faculty and Leadership, I knew I had to be a part of the liberating work taking place here!
Here’s why: SSU is a rare Jesus-centered space where transformative faith, peace and justice meet. Indeed, the Good Spirit of Creator God is doing a unique work here at SSU. And I would have serious regrets if I didn’t get to be a part of it!
Working here at SSU over the past 6 months has further validated this reality for me. I’ve heard story after story of alumni like Tamara Mitchell from Alberta, Canada (MA in Peace & Justice) who serves with Curv Lake First Nations. Hear from her own words the impact of her education at SSU:
“This University has changed my life in so many ways, as a single mom, my time at SSU has opened up so many opportunities and healed so many wounds.”
While Tamara is an exceptional example of a master’s graduate putting their education towards healing this world, I’m learning that students & alumni like Tamara aren’t the exception at SSU; they’re the norm. In fact, we even have a whole Indigenous-Settler Truth and Reconciliation-oriented Centre for Reconciliation Studies (CRS) for anyone who’d like to dive deeper into this in relational, transformative community.
Maybe you’re seeing this as an admirer of SSU’s wondering what your next step of engagement could look like.
Maybe you’re seeing this as an SSU alumni who wants to give back to this institution that has given you so much.
Regardless of who you are, here’s my invitation for you:
Come join our work of raising the next generation of transformational peacemakers; alumni who will bring healing to the divisions of this world - out of their own inner healing and transformation.
SSU Bridgebuilders give $25 CAD / $30 USD (or whatever you’re able to give) every month to continue sustaining our work of raising the next generation of peacemakers - something the world could sure use more of right now!
GIVE - ssu.ca/donate
But here’s another exciting reason why you should join us as an SSU Bridgebuilder today!
One of our most generous donors, Andre Agassi (yes, the world-famous tennis player!) has offered to match every single donation you give to SSU this calendar year.
Here’s what this means:
If you sign up at $25 / month, that becomes $50 / month; $50 / month becomes $100 / month; and $250 / month becomes $500 / month! You get the picture.
So take advantage of this rare matching opportunity and join us as an SSU Bridgebuilder today at ssu.ca/donate.
And because I’m a hopeful optimist, I’ll just throw this out there:
It costs us $5000 CAD / $3650 USD to cover the complete cost of a typical SSU student’s entire year at St Stephens University - fully relieving their financial burden so they can focus on becoming the peacemakers the Church and world so desperately needs. One of my dreams in this new role is to make education at SSU even more accessible via bursaries from generous individuals and churches - especially for students from Indigenous or other marginalized communities. And every dollar you give towards these bursaries will also be generously matched by Andre Agassi!
This is YOUR unique contribution to the frontlines of justice and peacemaking.
Thank you for partnering with us by investing in the next generation of peacemakers.
Fr. Joash P. Thomas
Director of Fundraising & Advancement
St. Stephen’s University
JOIN TODAY - SSU.CA/DONATE
