No Scar Too Deep – Chris Baker Ink180

The business of covering up scars

This past weekend, Christ Community Church had the privilege of having Chris Baker, creator of Ink180, speak for our Inspiring Stories weekend. He owns a tattoo shop in Oswego that works to cover or remove tattoos and markings from previous gang life, human trafficking and self-harm.  Chris works closely with Naomi’s House, an organization that comes alongside women who have been victims of sex trafficking to bring hope and healing to the deep wounds that have been left on their lives.

Chris recently did a cover up for a young man named Ivan, a former Latin King from Humboldt Park. He had a huge crown on his neck below his collar line. He had given his life to Christ and was raising his two daughters on his own, working hard to live an honest life. Chris did a cover up over the Latin King crown and said, “it’s almost like I was covering up the fake king with the Real King!” Pimps and traffickers often brand their victims with tattoos to mark them as property. Gangs traffic people, too. It’s a way to mentally abuse the victims.

(Photos from Ink180 Facebook account)

Then Chris shared Nicole’s story of surviving sex trafficking and then eventually being able to remove her tattoo, which was a constant reminder of her trauma and pain.

Nicole is an amazing survivor of sex trafficking. Her own mother would sell her to pedophiles as a young child.  She was abused in her own home. She eventually ran away from home and one day a pimp saw her outside and cold in Milwaukee. He convinced her to come with him to get warm and have something to eat. Nicole found herself being trafficked. She ended up having a child with her trafficker. He would threaten her that if she did not make her weekly quota, she would not be able to see her son. Nicole needed money and could only stay at a shelter she found for a short time, so she continued to prostitute herself. She cried out to God to help her and give her a new life. Nicole is now an advocate for sex trafficking survivors.

“He gave me a new life. He gave me a purpose. He showed me why he kept me alive. He showed me the reason for everything that’s ever happened to me. And He was going to use it. So that’s who I am today.” 

Not defined by scars

“You don’t have to be defined by your scars, but defined by who you are now,” Chris said.

Jesus took our burdens and went to the cross. He still bears the scars of our sins, but He took them from us! We are not defined by our sins, past mistakes, and the way we lived our lives without Christ. Chris talks about how 2 Corinthians 5:17 is one of his driving factors to help others. When we see ourselves as new creations in Christ, we can begin to live new lives and heal! And although the path to healing is a painful and difficult one, Christ’s redemption is available to all – previous gang members, victims of sex trafficking, and everyone in between.

No scar is too deep. No sin is too great. Jesus has the power to redeem.

*If you know of anyone who may be a victim of trafficking, please call the Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.*