Hendersonville Presbyterian Church on Grove Street is giving the wristbands away free to anyone concerned about the plight of persecuted Christians.
“It is a constant reminder,” said Ruth Bodey, a member of Hendersonville Presbyterian. “When you look at it, you remember and offer up a prayer. It is a wonderful opportunity for Christians to testify to the fact they are standing with their brothers and sisters.”
Bodey bought 25 of the silicone wristbands from the nonprofit, interdenominational organization Voice of the Martyrs about three weeks ago. She left them in the church's library for anyone who wanted to show their support for Christians suffering in countries where Islamic extremists have taken hold.
The wristbands show the phrase “i-am-n” along with a website address on the outside. The statement “I will not suffer in silence” is written in smaller letters on the inside. The wristbands also show the Arabic letter for “n” written in red.
I-am-n is a ministry of Voice of Martyrs created to inspire the church in America to remember Christians who are persecuted by Islamic extremists. The ministry came about after The Islamic State (ISIS) invaded the city of Mosul in Iraq and drove an estimated 200,000 Christians from their homes, according to the VOM website.
ISIS used the Arabic character for the letter “n” to mark the homes of Christians. The “n” stands for Jesus of Nazareth.
“This symbol quickly gained global recognition and is now being used by The Voice of the Martyrs in identifying our commitment to stand with our brothers and sisters facing Islamic extremists,” according to the website.
Voice of the Martyrs uses 50 percent of the money made from each wristband purchased to support Christians persecuted by Islamic extremists, according to the website.
Hendersonville Presbyterian Pastor Bill Campbell said the wristbands are one way the church is trying to make its members aware of the plight of Christians around the world.
“I think it's great. We need to keep ourselves aware and to pray,” he said. “It's a tumultuous time in the world.”
Bodey, an 89-year-old member who joined Hendersonville Presbyterian about a year ago, said she wanted to make the wristbands available to other members of her church and the community because it is important to support Christians who are suffering.
“I felt led to do this,” she said. “I'm so grateful people have come and taken the bracelets. It is something worthwhile. It doesn't matter if a few are taken or many are taken.”
While the wristbands are worn to show support for Christians, Bodey said she also hopes those who wear them will remember to pray for the extremists who have persecuted Christians.
“They can come to the Lord also,” she said. “Many prayers are going up for extremists of all faiths. Wherever they are, we want them to know the Lord.”
Bodey said she has been involved with Voice of the Martyrs on and off for more than 15 years. Her interest in the organization came after she heard founder Pastor Richard Wurmbrand speak about the hardships many Christians endure around the world.
Wurmbrand founded VOM in 1967 after spending 14 years in prison in the Communist country of Romania because he was a Christian. He and his family eventually made their way out of the country to the United States, where he established VOM to help suffering Christians and spread the word about those who are persecuted around the world.
VOM has offices around the world with headquarters in Bartlesville, Okla.
Bodey said she believes VOM is able to help suffering Christians because of the prayers offered by people who support the organization.
“That power is at work when you pray for these people halfway around the world,” she said.
For more information about Voice of the Martyrs and its wristbands, visit persecution.com and i-am-n.com or call volunteer Karl Gessler at 828-553-2020.
Call Hendersonville Presbyterian Church at 828-692-3211 for more information on obtaining wristbands, which are available onsite between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
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