Every person has a story worth telling, and Bethany United Methodist Church is creating space for those stories to be heard.

On Saturday, October 10, 2026, Bethany UMC hosted Our Tattoo Stories, a photography and storytelling exhibit created by professional photographer Kevin Gourley. The event welcomed participants, friends, church members, and the broader community for an experience centered on listening, understanding, and connection.

The Stories Behind the Ink

Attendees view portraits and read the personal stories behind participants' tattoos.

As a professional photographer, Gourley has focused much of his work on serving the community. Through his photography, he encountered individuals who expressed themselves through body art, sparking conversations about the personal meanings behind their tattoos.

"What began as simple conversations about the meaning behind their tattoos quickly grew into a deep appreciation for their diverse and fascinating stories," Gourley shared.

Inspired by those conversations, Gourley launched Our Tattoo Stories, photographing individuals in his studio and inviting them to share the inspiration behind their tattoos in their own words. He invited people he knew or encountered in daily life to participate and eventually created ourtattoostories.com to share their portraits and stories with a wider audience.

Partnering with Bethany UMC, a congregation committed to welcoming its community, felt like a natural fit for hosting a public exhibit.

Connecting Beyond the Church Walls

Community members gather for a presentation to hear the stories behind participants’ tattoos.

The exhibit featured photographs and personal narratives, along with a reception welcoming participants, their friends, and the broader community. According to Gourley, attendees responded positively to the experience.

Most participants were not Bethany members, and many invited friends to attend. One participant even traveled from Dallas to take part. For Gourley, what stood out most was the diversity of experiences and the vulnerability of individuals willing to share their personal stories. Several participants also expressed appreciation that a church would support the project, especially those who had previously experienced negative comments about their tattoos from Christians.

"The fact that we were a church reaching out to the broader community around us, was actually noted by several participants as a wonderful endeavor," Gourley shared.

Every Person Has a Story Worth Hearing

Although tattoos inspired the project, Gourley hopes people take away a message that goes beyond body art.

"The main message from this really isn't just about tattoos. Actually EVERY person has a story worth hearing and we all would do well to take time to listen to their stories," he said.

"Jesus spent so much time with individuals, listening to their stories, genuinely caring for them with love and compassion."

Gourley emphasized that some people use tattoos as another way of telling their stories, but the larger message is that every person matters, including those with tattoos. The project has already led to new friendships, and Gourley hopes to bring the exhibit to other locations in the future.Through its partnership with Gourley, Bethany UMC offered a space where individuals could share their experiences, build connections, and feel welcomed.

Photos courtesy of Kevin Gourley

Explore the portraits and personal stories: https://www.ourtattoostories.com/stories/