The Ink Link: The Pastor and his seven tattoos

The Ink Link is an ongoing project at CN&CO that showcases the diversity of tattoos. One of the great things about a tattoo is that it goes against the commonly-held viewpoint that “what you see is what you get”. There’s a misguided belief in certain quarters that only “some” people get a tattoo. We are putting paid to that perception through the stories showcased in the Ink Link. If you or anyone you know would like to be featured, please get in contact with us.

This Ink Link was written by Stella Carter.

Meet Gustav Roos, a loving husband and father, a Harley Davidson bike rider and a seriously formidable runner, with an impressive list of PBs (16:33 – 5km; 33:16 – 10km; 2:45 42.2km)….and in his own words, a “rebel with a cause”.

I have the pleasure of running with Gustav at least three days a week. On those runs I get to hear a lot of stories – some thought provoking, others just entertaining and silly. Gustav has a few catch-phrases you will hear on every run, these are “Long story short…..”  and “The bottom-line is…”

But all of this is not what makes Gustav so unique, in my opinion. Gustav is also a pastor at the Goeie Nuus church, and the very proud canvas to seven incredibly beautiful and meaningful tattoos. I had a coffee with Gustav the other day and asked him to share the stories and meaning behind all his tattoos.

Q: As a pastor, what made you get a tattoo?

A: I wanted to challenge and change perceptions – of people, of me and most importantly, of the church. I want all people to feel welcome in the church, not just those who “look” like they belong.

Q: What is the inspiration behind your tattoos?

A: They are mostly based on scriptures that mean something to me, barring one that is guided by words my late father spoke to me when I found myself in times of doubt.

Q: Who has done all your ink work?

A: My very good friend Bruce McIntyre, who has a studio called The Mac Shack tattoo studio in Edenvale. His work is incredible. He is a true artist who can bring any vision to life. You can find him on Instagram @mac.shack.tattoos, his work speaks for itself.

Q: Tell me about your tattoos, from 1 – 7

A: Tattoo #1: The Lighthouse, Psalm 28:18

You, oh Lord, keep my light burning

My God turns my darkness into light

I got this, my first tattoo, 10 years ago after my mother was diagnosed with dementia. I was looking for guidance and the lighthouse jumped out at me. Its sits on my right arm, and whenever I see it I feel grounded and at peace.

Tattoo #2: The scales, Romans 5:20

Where sin abounds, His grace superabounds.

His grace is out of all proportion to the fallen man

This one sits on my chest and is an old scale. The heavy side has a cross in it, tipping the scale. The other side has a globe in it. The cross represents Christianity/love, which outweighs everything else. The base of the scale is a crown of thorns – which Bruce added in on the day. He thought it would tie it all together well. He wasn’t wrong.

Tattoo #3: Clean up, Grow up, Wake up, Show up

This one sits on my stomach. It isn’t from any particular scripture, but holds a lot of meaning for me. It represents the cycle of life, its ebbs and flows, and how we need to move and adjust through life.

This is what they mean:

Clean up: Figure out what, in life, is acceptable and what isn’t. Know your right from wrong and always chose right.

Grow up: Acquire skills – both hard and soft skills, but most importantly, people skills.

Wake up: There are two meanings in this one. The first being – Stop giving a sh*t about what people think of you. Be YOU. And the second one is, God really loves me. Find peace in yourself and who you are.

Show up: Make a difference – even when you don’t want to. Always show up!

Tattoo #4: Two sparrows, Matthew 6

Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns

Yet your heavenly Father feeds them

These two sparrows sit on either side of my stomach. One is male and one is female. One day, during COVID, I was driving to Bruce’s old tattoo studio, where I saw his new signage that had two sparrows. As soon as I saw the sparrows, I knew what my next tattoo was going to be.

If you are in the ministry, you walk amongst the people, you feel their pain and their joy and carry them in your heart. What this scripture and tattoo mean for me is, God is in tune with my everyday needs and will provide for them. He will give me the strength to do the work, every day.

Tattoo #5: The Eagle (with blue eyes), Isaiah 40

Those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength, they will mount up with wings like eagles,  they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.

This one sits on my chest and symbolises an effortless living or existence, just like the effortlessness of the soaring eagle. I chose to make the eagle’s eyes blue, as blue is very significant throughout the Bible. In this case it highlights the eagle’s ability to see all and look beyond the surface.

Tattoo #6: Perspektief 53-10-03

This a memory band dedicated to my late father. My father was in the ministry for 25 years. He was my go-to person. Whenever I was doubting my path in life, he would tell me “Step away and maintain perspective”. He is no longer with me, but his words and guidance will always be.

Tattoo #7: Grace upon Grace, John 1:16

Out of his fullness we have all received grace upon grace.

This implies we are constantly being inundated with the grace of God, on behalf of Jesus Christ. This begins with God reaching out to us for salvation. My son, Hendrieth, has the same words tattooed on his arm.

Q: Any plans for more ink?

A: I’m waiting for inspiration…….