After months of consideration we (Metal Helm) have decided to run a fundraising campaign for a new printer since ours has now broken down. We would appreciate your prayers and consideration to help us financially so that we can continue to offer apparel for the extreme Christian metal fans worldwide. Below you can read a message from Jeremy Thurmond (Metal Helm/Starve The Flesh Clothing/Shigionoth Records), and do not forget to watch the video message.
‘Hello, my name is Jeremy Thurmond and I print apparel for extreme Christian metal bands that are sold through MetalHelm.com.’
‘In 2008 we started a new company called Starve The Flesh Clothing printing shirts with graphic images with Bible verse to explain on the back. We wanted to provide an alternative to the sometimes overly cheerful Christian tees that we were seeing.’
‘In 2011 we started printing almost exclusively for Underground Christian metal bands.’
‘In 2012 we started a new website (metalhelm.com) with Partner Jason Butz of Nokternal Hemizphear Records to combine the music store of Nokternal Hemizphear and the apparel sold through Starve The Flesh into a single new location.’
How it works:
>We offer bands the option of selling their apparel on Metal Helm at no cost to the band. Set up is free to the band and we pay them a portion of every sale. We can do this because we print on demand as the orders come in, using a digital apparel printer.
Metal Helm’s goals:
>To use our web shop as a way to encourage people with their walk with Jesus, both believers and yet-to-be believers.
>By helping the underground metal scene get their music out to people.
>Through relationships over emails, Facebook, and our weekly devotional / newsletter “The Helm” that we send out via email.
>Printing apparel for the extreme Christian and letting the fans wear this as a conversation starter themselves.
It is always amazing to us the people that reach out, both believers rocking with the Lord and those that are in the middle of struggles asking for us to hold them up in prayer and encourage them through relationships. Also there are people buying a shirt or a cd for their unbelieving friends, as a way to reach out to them. One email we received was a customer that we gave a free CD to, he told us that he loved the lyrics of the CD so much that he memorized the passage in Revelation that the lyrics came from – this is an example of why we do what we do and the power of lyrics that glorify our King no matter the style of music.
The problem:
>The printer is broken and we cannot afford a new one.
>Just for information purposes I can tell you that it takes about 30 hours a week to print the apparel ordered per week from metalhelm.com and I profited a total of only $2,000 in 2013. Also, 2013 was the first year of profit we had since starting in 2008. I say this to point out that we do not do this to make money, but feel it is our calling. Also, we point this out to explain why we cannot afford a new printer on our own yet.
>We see our situation as similar to a missionary who is supported by the body of believers but then has an unexpected need for supplies or a one-time purchase that needs additional support. We are missionaries to the head-bangers that need Jesus. Also we are encouragers to those who are in Christ but are struggling. The website is self-sustaining but we have come upon a one-time cost that we cannot cover without the help of others. We are asking for your help so we can carry on the work that God has called us to.
Obviously we do not know the outcome but do not want to guess on God’s provision. So here is our plan for the money raised.
If we can raise $13,000 to $15,000 then we will buy a brand new digital printer. A new printer costs $15,000 and if we can at least get to $14,000 then we will look for sales and find a way to raise the remaining amount. This is our hearts desire because the technology has come a long way since 2008 when we bought our last printer and it would save money and time in the daily operations. If we raise more than $15,000 then it will go toward accessories that will give us more options of printing (like to be able to print on sleeves).
$8,000 – $13,000: We will either search for a new printer of a different make and model that falls into this price range or buy a newer used printer that will fill our needs.
$4,000 – $8,000: We will put this money toward a rebuilt used printer much like the one I have used since 2008. This is not long term solution, but it will give us at least a year or 2 more to keep going and at the same time look for other ways to save up for a new printer.
Under $4,000: We will consider if it is time for me (Jeremy) to be done printing and go find work in the real world, which might be exactly what God will use this campaign to direct me towards.
This is a huge request we know, and we honestly have no idea how much support we will receive, but we are doing this in faith. We believe fully that God is our provider and that He does not lack anything including finances. If God wants us to continue printing apparel for the Christian Metal Underground, then He will provide. That also means if the provision does not come in, then He must have something else for us to do, and if that is His will then that is where we want to be. So in a way we are using this fund raising campaign as a fleece like Gideon did in the end of Judges 6. We are throwing this “fleece” on the ground and waiting for the Lord to show us His will.
Video below ‘Metal Helm request for help’