Graffiti artwork done by Cameron “CAMER1sf” Moberg. Photo courtesy of Cameron “CAMER1sf” Moberg.
In 1996, graffiti artists SNO and FASM sat together at lunch. When SNO began to doodle on a napkin, writing out the words “Gospel Graffiti,” FASM pitched the idea of forming a crew called Gospel Graffiti that would spread the Word of God through the art of graffiti. Cameron Moberg, who goes by the name CAMER1sf, is a member of the Gospel Graffiti crew.
Moberg creates artwork and does his best to help organize the crew. Through Gospel Graffiti, Moberg has found a church family, surrounded by Christians who wish to use their talents to minister.
Each member of the crew may spread the Gospel differently, Moberg wrote. Some explicitly write the name of Jesus or display Scripture, while others focus on collaborating with non-believing artists to spread the love of Christ and build relationships.
“We love each other and desperately want to push past our differences to be an example of unity to non-Christians in our culture,” Moberg wrote in an email interview. “When I think of our crew, I’m constantly reminded of 2 Timothy 1:5-14. I have a ‘longing’ to be with my crew.”
Graffiti artwork done by Engar from Guatemala. Photo courtesy of Cameron “CAMER1sf” Moberg.
The Gospel Graffiti crew consists of 30 members, Moberg wrote, who are spread out across the United States, Canada, Australia, Spain, Guatemala, the Netherlands, Mexico, Portugal and South Africa, according to their website.
“Personally, I have been to a lot of places in the world,” Moberg wrote. “I’m constantly traveling and painting.”
In 2001, the organization began to take graffiti mission trips around the world, Moberg wrote. Over the course of 15 years, the crew has traveled to San Francisco, Chicago, St. Louis, Los Angeles and San Diego within the U.S. and to countries including Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands and more.
“For years, we would plan a yearly event where one of us lived,” Moberg wrote. “We would all go support that member how they saw fit — whether it was helping their church or a non-profit they were linked up with or painting for secular events to bridge the gap [between Christians and nonbelievers].”
However, recently, the mission trips have slowed down, Moberg wrote. Instead, Gospel Graffiti has honed in their focus on certain locations.
“Australia is very active right now.” Moberg wrote. “We have a sister crew over there called Krosswerds. Some of their members are in Gospel Graffiti.”
Graffiti artwork done by Cameron “CAMER1sf” Moberg. Photo courtesy of Cameron “CAMER1sf” Moberg.
Krosswerds is a community of Christians, formed in 2005, that performs hip hop which expresses elements of faith, according to their website.
Uprock is a three-day conference that is held annually where people can attend and advance their skills in hip hop or learn graffiti, break dancing, DJing and how to Emcee.
“That way, throughout the year, the attendees have a deeper understanding of their art form of choice to hopefully open doors for ministry in their culture and community,” Moberg wrote.
Gospel Graffiti also has a crew in Guatemala called Amen Familia, Moberg wrote. There is a warehouse there, and similarly to Australia, members teach routine classes. In addition, members of the Amen Familia crew go to rough areas and spread the Gospel through the arts.
Gospel Graffiti is a unique ministry that impacts people, both believers and non-believers, all around the world. The crew of Gospel Graffiti have found a way to utilize their gifts to spread the love of Christ and bring people closer to God.
Shelby grew up in the Bay Area in California. She is currently a college student studying Journalism and Integrated Media with a Concentration in Writing and Publishing at Biola University. She hopes to pursue a career as a writer or editor.
