FLINT TOWNSHIP, MI (WNEM) -
A non-traditional church is making its mark in one local county.
The Bridge has opened a Genesee County-licensed tattoo parlor, called Serenity Tattoo inside its doors.
The church's pastor, Steve Bentley, conducts services on Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., as well as the more traditional Sunday services at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.
But going to church isn't what draws people to the location, at least not since a tattoo parlor opened up in recent months. The two ink men, Ryan Brown and Drew Blaisdell, put their artistic talents into the public with a needle by appointment from noon until 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
"I can't think of any negative comments I've gotten from it," said Bentley. "People will have brought their kids and watched it, and the most negative comment is, ‘that's boring, I don't want to watch that.'"
The church owns 30,000 square feet inside the Carman Plaza shopping center, located just northeast of Corunna Road and I-75. It offers everything any other church offers, right down to the baptismal font, which is a new galvanized horse trough.
Even though most people don't associate a tattoo shop with church, Brown believes tats have their place in any house of worship.
"Jesus loves you no matter what you are, or who you are, or where you come from, or what you're into -- as long as it's not hurting other people," said Brown.
The church also hosts MWO wrestling events and later this year, they plan to bring in cage fighting.
For those wondering what Bible verse speaks on the desecration of the body, TV5 was tweeted the answer by "1hottied," who said: "the Bible says, 'Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.'" LIV 19:28.
TV5 wants to know your thoughts on this one -- would you be OK with a tattoo parlor inside your church? Send your fast feedback in an email to wnem@wnem.com, post on our Facebook wall or send a tweet @WNEMTVnews. We'll share some of your input in our later newscasts.
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