Christ Crucified Billboard

Four-story billboard of Velazquez’s Christ Crucified raises awareness of Holy Week across central Iowa

Contact: Amanda Pottorff

515-221-9155 xt 210

The impressive 44-by-48-foot billboard of Velazquez’s 1632 painting depicting the Crucifixion of Jesus is located on I-235, just south of the east mixmaster in Des Moines, Iowa. Standing four stories, illuminated at night, the billboard of Christ Crucified is visible for a mile when heading east on one of the busiest traveled roadways in central Iowa.

“The billboard of the crucifixion during this time of Lent will help us to focus our hearts and our thoughts on the Passion of the Lord as we move towards Easter. Whether people are Christian or not, practicing their faith or not after seeing this it is almost impossible to continue your car ride without some thoughts; whether negative or positive. The point is that it causes people in their everyday commute to contemplate Jesus Christ,” said Tom Moreland, CEO Saint Jude Healthcare and billboard sponsor.

The billboard is a collaborative effort by Tom Moreland, CEO of Saint Jude Healthcare, and Tim Jameson, President Des Moines Division, Clear Channel Outdoor and Iowa Catholic Radio board member. The Crucified Christ billboard will remain at the current location for five weeks and move to other locations in central Iowa over the next year.

About Tom Moreland, MHSA, CHCE, KM President & CEO

In the hospice care industry for 14 years, Mr. Moreland had always felt a strong call based on his Catholic faith to care for the dying. In 2005 he founded Iowa Hospice, now Iowa’s largest hospice serving the majority of the state. In 2008, he felt called to found a Catholic hospice. Currently there are 2 locations in Iowa – Des Moines and Council Bluffs – and 6 other locations in Nebraska, Kansas and Wisconsin. He also own Spirit Homecare with locations in Des Moines and Omaha, helping people stay in the home when they need a little extra help.

“He must increase, I must decrease.” – John 3:30

Why the Billboard?

The billboard of the crucifixion during this time of Lent will help us to focus our hearts and our thoughts on the Passion of the Lord as we move towards Easter. Whether people are Christian or not, practicing their faith or not after seeing this it is almost impossible to continue your car ride without some thoughts; whether negative or positive. The point is that it causes people in their everyday commute to contemplate Jesus Christ. The question is really why not when given the chance. Tim Jameson, President Des Moines Division, Clear Channel Outdoor is truly the brains behind the billboard and we made it happen by sponsoring it to cover the costs. This is a proclamation of my faith as CEO and faith and mission of Saint Jude Hospice. We are called to boldly proclaim the gospel and to not hide our light under a bushel basket. Whether this could hurt or help our business doesn’t matter to me. If we help one person to come to know the Lord or come back to the church, we have lived out our mission as a Catholic organization, this hospice is called to greater things.

About Saint Jude Hospice

Saint Jude Hospice is an organization inspired by Jesus’ words: “Love one another as I have loved you.” John 13:34

St. Jude Hospice “Where Love & Healing Flow”