gatlinburg woman extends open arms through ministry

Patti Gallo-Bryant is on a mission.

The Gatlinburg resident and ordained minister says God has anointed her to help young mothers in despair through her ministry at The Harvest Thrift Store located at 332 on the Parkway in Gatlinburg.

“Anything a single mother needs we get for them,” said Gallo-Bryant, who says she is ordained through a Word of Faith affiliate. “We’ve been working with 25 other ministries and this ministry shares all donations with five other ministries. That’s how much stuff this little store takes in.”

Gallo-Bryant's “little store” is situated on the main tourist drag in Gatlinburg in a two-story brick building that serves as her business, ministry, warehouse and home. A Northern California native, Gallo-Bryant lives in an upstairs loft of the building, which was donated for use by a local man who felt persuaded to help Gallo-Bryant's cause.

During the last week of September, Gallo says she will start a transitional type program to assist women who have had abortions.

“Our first post-abortion encounter will be in September,” Gallo-Bryant offered. “We help them heal. God has already forgiven them. God already has that child. And (the women) have to begin the healing.”

Gallo-Bryant believes she is destined to be doing what she’s doing, where she’s doing it.

“I’ve never had an abortion,” she commented. “I still don’t know why God chose me to do this. You don’t know why you’ve been anointed.

“I’ve been working with Right to Life since 1985—for 28 years,” Gallo-Bryant explained. “Seven years ago I realized that I share the same birthday as Roe vs. Wade. I was born on Jan. 22 1958 and Roe vs. Wade was passed, making it legal to have abortions, on Jan 22 1973. I think that was a message from God for me to start an abortion recovery ministry.”

Gallo-Bryant says folks have embraced her efforts by donating goods and services to the ministry/thrift store.

“Gerber’s just gave me 27 pallets of baby food,” said Gallo-Bryant. “We have people come here every day, and if someone can drive here with gas prices at $4 per gallon, the least I can do is give them some baby food.

“People just seem to find us,” she continued. “In other words, I wake up every morning and just wait for somebody to come in that I can help.”

Gallo-Bryant says that without the help of her only full-time volunteer, Chris Thacher, she wouldn’t be able to help as many people as she does. She also credits Joe Wright, who Gallo-Bryant describes as “A mighty man of God”, as being pivotal to her efforts by picking up and delivering all donations to the thrift store.

A trained interior designer, Gallo-Bryant claims that her arrival in Gatlinburg was part of God’s plan.

“Why not Gatlinburg?” she asks. “Millions of people come through Gatlinburg every year. Gatlinburg is an incredible place of outreach. People come in here off the streets who you’d never believe would come in here. And we help anybody that walks through that door.

“I don’t take a salary. This ministry has never taken a penny without giving it right back to the people who we help. This is a service to the community. That’s important,” said Gallo-Bryant.

Gallo-Bryant, who says as an ordained minister has performed hundreds of wedding ceremonies, claims to be blessed with a gift to help previously barren women be able to give birth through the power of prayer.

“I’m an intercessor for barren women, “she proclaims. “For the last 30 years I’ve had at least 25 people that I’ve prayed for—who previously couldn’t give birth—be able to have a baby. I don’t think there is any person who I have prayed for that hasn’t had a baby.”

Gallo-Bryant says she can be reached seven days a week by those in need at the Harvest Thrift Store in Gatlinburg.