Peace Catalyst is Partnering with St. Stephen’s University

Written By Nicole Gibson

At Peace Catalyst International, we believe that peace is not just an ideal—it’s a way of life, a calling, and a daily practice rooted in God’s mission to heal the world.

That’s why we’re thrilled to announce our partnership with St. Stephen’s University (SSU)—a graduate school of theology, peace, and reconciliation located in New Brunswick, Canada. This partnership represents an exciting step forward in the formation of a broader ecosystem of peace theology, peace education, and peacemaking practice.

St. Stephen’s shares our heart for justice, beauty, and compassion, offering academically rigorous and spiritually grounded programs designed to prepare leaders for pastoral ministry, advocacy, and conflict transformation. Through innovative hybrid-distance learning, students can study without uprooting their lives, while still experiencing deep personal engagement and community through in-person gatherings.

At SSU, academic programs are run through three schools that align closely with Peace Catalyst’s mission:

  • The School of Theology & Culture is faith-based in the historic ‘Jesus Way’ gospel tradition of God’s self-giving love.

  • The Jim Forest Institute for Religion, Peace & Justice is faith-engaged in their theological exploration of peace and justice, the inner transformation of a peacemaker, and multi-faith conversations and interreligious peacebuilding.

  • The Centre for Reconciliation Studies is faith-affirming of First Nations spiritual values and traditions, gifts of the Creator, and all our relations. 

Whether you’re already engaged in peacebuilding work or just beginning to explore peacebuilding, SSU offers space to grow, learn, and be transformed. Their programs are ideal for those in ministry, social justice, nonviolent activism, or anyone simply longing to live out their faith with more clarity and courage.

We see this partnership as one piece of a wider movement—where education, formation, and real-world practice come together to grow resilient, relational peacemakers.

Interested in learning more?

Check out SSU’s programs and be sure to tell them Peace Catalyst sent you!

“After years of engaging in the Palestine/Israel conflict, I was burned out--theologically, spiritually, politically. SSU was for me a haven, a "shelter from the storm" that helped me to re-engage with my faith in the most interesting way possible: By delving deep into philosophy, peacemaking, and the theology of the church fathers while simultaneously wrestling with today's thorny and perplexing cultural issues. This approach refreshed and enabled me to continue going the distance in my vocation from a deeper and re-centered Christ-perspective.”

- Peace Catalyst team member, Mercy Aiken

“One of the most significant impacts of my time studying at SSU was being introduced to Palestine for the first time. Due to SSU's commitment to peacebuilding and intercultural engagement, I was able to visit Palestine twice as part of my studies and sit at the feet of Palestinian peacemakers, which was a life-changing experience.”

- Peace Catalyst team member, Michael McDougle

Nicole Gibson
Next

Because of Us