Pettyjohn is Lumen Christi nominee for Diocese of Boise for second year in a row

Keith Pettyjohn, president and founder of Salt & Light Radio, is nominated for Lumen Christi Award for second year in a row. (Courtesy photo/Salt & Light Radio)

By Emily Woodham

Staff Writer

Keith Pettyjohn, founder and president of Salt & Light Radio in Boise and a candidate for the permanent diaconate, has been nominated for the prestigious Lumen Christi Award for the second consecutive year.

The award is presented annually by the Catholic Extension Society, a national nonprofit organization founded in 1903. Its mission is to provide financial support to what is known as “extension dioceses” in some of the poorest regions in America. They are dioceses that face additional burdens due to factors such as rapid growth that exceeds resources, large geographic areas that make pastoral care challenging, or are in regions where Catholics are the religious minority.

The Diocese of Boise is one of 87 extension dioceses in the United States.

Each year, bishops from these dioceses nominate a clergy member, religious or layperson, “who radiates and reveals the light of Christ present in the communities where they serve,” according to Catholic Extension’s website. Nominees receive $1,500 for their chosen charity. Finalists receive $15,000 to support their ministry, and the winner receives $50,000.

“We have been incredibly blessed with all of the team members, volunteers and supporters over all these years,” Pettyjohn, who founded Salt & Light Radio 15 years ago, told the Idaho Catholic Register.

Pettyjohn speaks at a Salt & Light Radio benefit concert last June at the Egyptian Theatre in Boise. (Courtesy photo/Salt & Light Radio)

“While it is not always an easy work, there is so much joy,” he said. “Joy when we hear about the conversions/reversions and the lives that have been touched because of our programming; joy in seeing the effects on so many attendees to our events and conferences; joy among our incredible team members as we go about this work. How can you put a price on the value of one soul, brought to faith in Jesus? You just can’t. That’s what keeps me motivated.”

Leading daily operations at Salt & Light while working toward becoming a deacon is time-consuming, Pettyjohn said, adding that he could not do it without the support of his wife, Michelle.

“It helps to have a loving, faithful wife,” he said. “I am also so grateful for my spiritual director, Father Johannes Kamphuis of Verbum Spei, who always exhorts me to spend more time in silent prayer.”

Pettyjohn strives to make a Holy Hour in Adoration as often as possible, as suggested by Venerable Fulton Sheen, who kept a daily Holy Hour during his more than 40 years of priesthood.

“While I do not have the opportunity to make a Holy Hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament as often as I would like, I do make time every day for prayer in my home or when I am traveling,” said Pettyjohn said, adding that he also prays the Divine Office daily, which is a requirement of the Church for clergy and Religious. Another source of grace for him is going to daily Mass as often as he can.

“In order to have the strength and fortitude to do this work of evangelization,” he continued. “It is critically important to be nourished daily through God’s Word and by His flesh and blood in the Holy Eucharist.”

When asked if he had advice to offer anyone considering establishing a ministry or charity, Pettyjohn suggested they first take time for God.

“Let God to speak to you and be silent with Him (Ps 46:10),” he said. “Ask Him what He wants you to do each day. Ask Him to bring into your life – each day – the people He wants you to speak with and learn from. If you are truly open to His Holy Will, He will guide you, and He will open the doors for you, so that you will know how best to love and serve Him. Whatever work He gives you to do, make sure that you are doing it for His glory and not for your own.”

He also tries to follow and suggests the model of St. Therese of Lisieux: to acknowledge one’s poverty and childlike dependence upon God.

“He is a good Father, and He knows what's best for you, better than you do,” he added.

For more information, visit catholicextension.org.