In the February 2007 print issue of Breakaway, you can read about some teens who are taking action to bring Jesus’ love and physical help to Africa, a continent plagued by AIDS. But Scott Brookens and Nathaniel Elliott are not alone. We talked with Jeremy Limpic, one of the founders of Onetruth Clothing, about how his company and its friends are trying to make a difference in the lives of Africans.
Breakaway: How did Onetruth Clothing get started and why?
Jeremy Limpic: Onetruth started in 1997. We wanted shirts that expressed what God had done in our lives and decided to start designing them ourselves. We did one for a friend, then another one, and then a few more, and we don’t know how to stop.
Can a clothing company change the world?
No, but people can. And a lot of people are very interested in changing the world and in seeing their own lives changed. I think now more than I’ve seen in a while, people are realizing that all the stuff we’re told to admire—wealth, popularity, good looks, etc.—do not really bring us what we hope they will. And [they’re realizing] that true satisfaction can come by giving more than taking, by serving more than being served, by loving more than being loved. Young and old people all over the world are taking these ideas and putting them into action in big and small ways. It’s beautiful, and every little bit counts. Every little action is a stand against apathy and the jaded consumer mindset we so often adopt.
Tell me about your projects to help Africa?
The Seeds of Hope T-shirt started much like Onetruth itself: wanting to make a difference and trying to figure out what we had to offer. Seeds of Hope Children’s Ministry is an amazing organization 20 minutes down the freeway from us, and no one knows about them. So we wanted to let people know who they are and what they’re about. It’s cool, ‘cause the shirt has become one of our best sellers. I think people really connect with the kind of work the ministry is doing: working in poor areas, such as Zambia, to care for AIDS orphans and to develop sources of clean water, hygiene, sanitation, small businesses and churches—basically adopting communities and caring for them. The shirt is available mainly online at onetruth.com.
Friends With Microphones is a similar idea. It’s a compilation CD, including Delirious?, Charlie Hall, Dizmas, Seventh Day Slumber, LA Symphony and more. It benefits an organization named Lifewater International. They are focused on developing safe water all over the world. You can check out the CD at friendswithmicrophones.com
How much money goes to these relief ministries?
We donate $5 from the purchase of each shirt to Seeds of Hope. All the proceeds from Friends with Microphones go to Lifewater. It will end up being approximately $5 per album. We sell the CD for $10.
Have you been able to help Africans through the products?
Yep, we’ve been able to give Seeds of Hope the first check for the first six months of sales. And we went to Africa in December to visit the work that they’re doing. We were very impressed and are now trying to help raise money for a new drill [for drilling wells] that’s going to be shipped there along with equipment for unemployed people to start small businesses.
Why Africa?
For me, it comes down to 1) need and 2) where you believe you’re meant to go. There will always be a place that’s worse off. But when you’ve been given so much, there’s going to be a lot required of you. I’d hate to see myself facing God at the end of my life and have Him ask me why I hoarded all the beautiful gifts He gave me.
Also, I know a lot of people who have worked with Seeds of Hope and Lifewater. So I know how good the work they do is. I’m very comfortable advocating on their behalf. It’s not just a cause I send money to. It’s people I know and love who are working with these organizations.
What can teens do to change the world by living out Jesus’ love?
It seems like the start of anything is in our hearts. Learn to be less insecure, less selfish, less petty. Take small but conscious acts to open our eyes to the things around us. There are so many different ways that God is redeeming the world. It’s spiritual poverty that is the true enemy. We are so locked up, and we don’t even know it. It’s really sad. I’m really sad. But God’s changing me one little part at a time, and He can do it with all of us.
Got any relief projects or cool designs coming up that are particularly interesting to teen guys?
Seeds of Hope is taking some people to Africa this spring. Sometimes it’s important to have people actually meet the individuals they’re helping. Other times it’s better just to send money. I’ve seen people, especially young teen guys, pull some crazy stunts to raise money for things like this. You get the usual car washes and jog-a-thons, but then you see some out-of-the-box fundraisers that inspire. These kids are making people think about the way they live their lives, not just the way they spend their money. That says a lot. 
