While tattoos are more popular than ever before, the art is still the domain of a sub-culture that does not always seem to be in agreement with Christian ideologies. However, as more Christians are choosing the body art as a way to express their faith, some tattoo artists are turning their trade into a ministry.
Here are five Christian tattoo artists talking about their ministry:
1. Daniel Jay Nodianos — Artist at Brother's Keeper in Westview, PA says, "Tattooing has given me the opportunity to talk one on one to people about Jesus and what he's done in my life ... The Alliance of Christian Tattooers has provided a way for other kingdom minded tattooers to connect from all across the world. To come together and become disciples in a ministry that desperately needs the love of God. Jesus teaches us that world will know we are his disciples by the love we show one another. That's really what the Alliance of Christian Tattooers is all about. No man is an island. Having an alliance of like-minded tattooers to fellowship with and build each other up is the best thing that has happened to me in my career as a tattoo artist. Our goal is to use our talents to reach out to the world and show love to everyone the way that Jesus loved us. I am a professional tattoo artist, but my profession is to be a Christian."
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2. Matt Laster – Owner and artist at
Devoted Ink in Temecula, California talked to The Press-Enterpris and said, "I tattoo a lot of people in ministry, whether it be pastors or people that are just actively involved in church, and working in a secular tattoo shop or a tattoo shop that wasn’t titled as a Christian tattoo shop was almost counter-productive for me to be able to convince a pastor to come in somewhere there might be porn on the walls or vulgar music being played and people did not want to be exposed to that atmosphere. God really put it on my heart to open a tattoo shop that doesn't have that exposure and would be able to tattoo things that would glorify God ... When people bring in a verse that actually inspires them to be a better person or walk a better life, we both have the same belief. So, I can break it down in the same spirit so I can break it down into a visual art form."
3. Eddie Smith — Artist at
Sacred by Design in Glenpool, Oklahoma says, "I believe there is a difference between your work and your life's work. Your life's work is what you do and you don't get paid for. Fortunately, my work and my life's work is combined. People don't expect to find Christ in a tattoo studio. We tattoo on an individual and we can hear phone conversations of whatever is going on in their lives. Sometimes you can see the heaviness in their stature. You are planting seeds and you are not necessarily pushing religion on them because I'm not a religious man, I believe in a relationship with a redeeming savior Jesus Christ."
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4. Donny Manco —
New Republic Tattoo in Fort Wayne, Indiana says, "Tattooing, although it has become very popular, is still an undercurrent, and it goes against the mainstream culture, but I think that Christianity is one of those things that in its origins went against the grain of the mainstream. So, there's something in the combination of those two that I think it super interesting and I've sort of latched onto ... by having religious tattoos it is an opportunity for me to talk about why I have the tattoos and what they mean to me."
5. Scott Hill — Artist
Anointed Ink in Huffman, Texas says, "Inner cry is a ministry. They take gang members off the street they cover up their tattoos with Christian tattoos. They turn their lives around."
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