Spirit Catholic Radio’s Executive Director, Jim Carroll, was recently interviewed by Lincon’s station KLKN Channel 8 about our listener-led billboard campaign. Read the story below and click the watch button to see the full story.
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Thanks to $75,000 in listener-led fundraising, Spirit Catholic Radio has launched the “Sacred Heart of Jesus” campaign.
It put up 30 billboards around the capital city featuring a 12-foot-tall Jesus with a heart that is ablaze in the center.
“We’re hoping that through that, they get the message that this love is for everyone,” said Jim Carroll, executive director of Spirit Catholic.
The reaction from most pedestrians and drivers in the Lincoln area was supportive of the new campaign.
“It pops out of nowhere to let you know that God’s here,” Christian Lupercio said. “It could help, you know. Someone might be struggling.”
Christian Jones, a student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, has seen several of the billboards.
“I think they’re a great touch to the city,” he said. “Everyone needs more Jesus in their life, and I think we should have more billboards of it.”
Spirit Catholic Radio said the message behind the boards is one of love, faith and hope.
Lincoln driver Marcia Merrill told Channel 8 she’s Christian, though not Catholic, and appreciates the billboards.
“Bringing Jesus to the forefront of a particular month, you know, even though it’s not Christmas or Easter is a good idea.”
Among the many positive outlooks, some expressed neutrality.
“I looked at it briefly just now, and I appreciate someone sharing their faith,” a pedestrian in the area said. “And I can also understand the other side, where someone might be offended by that.”
Two people who did not want to be named voiced concern that the campaign is taking away from Pride Month, which is also in June.
“June is a month of many things” Caroll said. “I had someone tell me it’s paper cut survivors month.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus Month has been observed in June for 169 years, according to Carroll.
The billboards will remain up for the remainder of the month.
