As many of you know, I hate asking for help, but here I am!

The Story

June of 2024 I played a concert of songs from Jeremiah, and afterwards a kind woman approached me and said, “Would you consider God’s servant, Hosea?” The question scared me. Life while writing and recording Jeremiah was difficult, probably one of the most difficult seasons, which turned into an abusive situation at church and the loss of my job through no fault of my own. “They shoot the messenger,” I said once on a podcast, a month before anything went down, speaking of Jeremiah and the threats and pain he endured by speaking God’s word. I didn’t want something worse to happen by writing and recording Hosea. I know that sounds so dramatic, and I truly don’t mean to be. I believe God wouldn’t leave it alone. I started to see Hosea everywhere, or like little clues or reminders, a seed planted. By September of 2024 the songs flooded in, like God dropped them from a cloud in a constant, steady stream. Again, that sounds dramatic and self-important, but again, that’s what happened. I called my producer Jered, and the writing and recording started. I promised myself I would take it day by day until I finished, like closing my eyes and walking forward. My dear friend Phil Keaggy produced, mixed and recorded two tracks, “Heartsick” and “I Love You.” I think you’re going to love it. I mean, I hope you will. 

The Need

Would you consider donating to my album? Your donation will be tax deductible through United Adoration.

I am happy to report the album is completely finished and ready for its release October 17, 2025. I want to get this album in vinyl rather than CD, because CDs are truly just coasters on a coffee table now days. 

I need at the minimum to not exactly break even, $6000. I really need $12,000. Not exactly breaking even means I don’t get paid, and a good chunk comes out of my own pocket, which has been a huge sacrifice.

Cost breakdown:
Production & Mixing: $5000
Mastering: $880
Photography/Album Art: $500
Musicians: $500

I’d like to:
Promo: $500
Vinyl: $1900 (for 100)
Release Concert in Nashville: $2000 (for musicians)
Shipping costs/UA backend admin costs: $1000

About the Album Style

This album is different from my others in that it has lots of drums, bass, and electric guitars. For most of the songs I sent Jered a Radiohead song to inspire us in its production. Sometimes we took inspiration from the drums, or the electric, or just the vibe or feel. Hosea is hard to read. God’s judgment is all over it. And the music needed a bit more angst to compliment the context. To my surprise, not only is Hosea about idolatry, but it is also about progeny—how the blessing of descendants will be scorched out because of the adultery, prostitution, sex trafficking of children, murder of children and dependance on kings to save. The judgment of God, much like Jeremiah, comes down like a lion, rips the leaders and shepherds open who have done this treacherous sin to lead the sheep astray. Hosea addresses sex and what happens when it is abused and used to abuse. Hosea also addresses God’s love toward a prostitute— his Bride, his Church. It reveals how lost she is because She is a sheep without a shepherd. By the end of the book, we understand God’s promises and his love for his people. The sins are so great, but his love is greater. By making this album, I learned that God laments and models it for us. We should call out what’s wrong when abuse happens in the church. God does it. And He never, ever, covers things up. 

I’m grateful for all of you, and grateful you even care about my music at all! Love, love, love you guys! 

– Rachel Wilhelm