The Art of Change

A one hundred and eighty degree turn:

a reversal of direction, a complete reversal in thinking or behavior, turning a negative to a positive.  That's the theory behind the name Ink 180.  Last night Chris Baker from Ink 180 shared his story and some pictures of amazing work that he is doing to help victims of human trafficking.  When I went to the meeting I had no idea what tattoos and human trafficking had in common.  What I left with was the reality of the depth of human depravity that exists in our world today. 

First a little bit about Chris...
When he first had the idea to do tattoo cover ups as a ministry using his artistic gifts for God it was to help former gang members who were trying to turn their life around.  His idea was to help individuals who maybe had left a gang, but because they were marked with a visual symbol connecting them to that gang, they were unable to find a good job or be accepted.  Some of them were still being targeted by rival gangs because they were identified by the tattoo.   He approached local law enforcement with his idea to cover up gang tattoos free of charge as a ministry to help these people.  During a meeting with homeland security, he was asked if would also provide the same service to victims of human trafficking.  Like most people, Chris thought "that doesn't happen here."  Unfortunately, he learned the reality that human trafficking is the second largest criminal industry (right behind drug trafficking.)  As Chris explained, "How could I say no to that?"

Chris is currently linked up with virtually every police depart in Northern Illinois and is on the FBI service provider list.  When the ministry first began, he expected to do maybe 5 tattoos a month.  What he ended up doing his first year was far more than that.  508 in just his first year.  508 people given a chance at a 180 degree turn in life. Freedom to go forward without the past branded on them like a neon sign pointing out where they had been. 

Now about the tattoos...
I was shocked to learn that what traffickers are doing is tattooing girls with bar code tattoos.  These tattoos have identifiers that track what pimp they belong to.    Even more shocking is the fact that there is a system these pimps use where if they find a girl, she can be tracked back to who she "belongs" to and brought back to her captor.  These horrible tattoos are not done by professional tattoo artists so the girl is left with a tattoo and raised scar tissue making it even harder to cover up.  Chris showed us some before and after pictures which were absolutely amazing.  You could not detect where the bar code had even been.   I was completely blown away by the ministry of Ink 180.  Chris does all these tattoo coverups for free because he wants to give these people a second chance.  In the first year his supplies cost him $12,000.  He's received threats because of his work, but he continues to make an impact for Christ.    We are called to use what talents God has given us. Whether it be an ability, financially or by use of our time.  We are called to use our talents wisely and to glorify Him.  Chris Baker is doing just that.
"Each of us can make a difference, but together we can make a real change." - Chris from Ink 180

For more information about Ink 180 or to donate in support of this wonderful ministry visit the
Ink 180 website