She Inspires
Story by Ashley Elvington • Laura McBryde Photography
feature
STANDING ON
THE PROMISES
Pat Gibson-Hye Moore
AS CHRISTIANS, WE ARE CALLED TO LOVE OUR
NEIGHBORS, HONOR OUR MOTHERS AND FATHERS,
BE KIND TO ONE ANOTHER, AND TURN THE OTHER
CHEEK. WHAT WE ARE NOT CALLED TO DO IS
REFRAIN FROM SPREADING GOD’S MESSAGE OF
LOVE AND SAVING GRACE. WHEN FACED WITH
CENSORSHIP OF HER FAITH, PAT GIBSON-HYE
MOORE REFUSED TO SIT WITH IDLE HANDS.
GOD WAS CALLING HER TO DO SO MUCH MORE.
“T
here’s a difference in knowing about Him and actually knowing
me feel so selfish and undeserving. Maybe the reason He kept me was because He had
Him,” Pat shares. “For more years than I’d actually like to admit,
assignments for my future.”
I only called on Jesus when I wanted something or when I was
In 2005, Pat was elected to the Florence District One School Board. “Soon
afraid, and I don’t remember actually thanking Him for anything.”
after the election, I realized just how many of our children lacked basic needs – food,
As a child, she grew up attending church. Once she moved away from her parents,
shelter, a safe environment. I began to pray God would give me the wisdom and
“I never inwardly forgot the teachings, the songs or the scriptures, I just wasn’t prac-
understanding to find ways to help those children and families whenever and
ticing what I’d been taught.” She would rekindle her relationship with Him years later
however I could.”
once she moved back to Florence.
42
She also believes that prayer is just as important in the classroom as it is in the
During her time residing in New York, Pat survived having a knife held to her throat
privacy of home and in the sanctuary of a church. “Many children do not know
during a robbery, a shootout at a nightclub, and being pulled into an alleyway by two
the power of prayer because they are never taught anything about God in their
men who intended to rob and rape her. When she returned to Florence, God saved her
homes. But, as it now stands, it’s against the law for teachers or other staff
yet again. “One night in September 2006, I was asleep. Waking up around 3AM in total
members to openly lead a prayer in school with students.” Prior to the spring of 2012,
darkness, I tried the light, but it wouldn’t come on. After tossing and turning, I began
the District School Board prayed before meetings. “Our board chair explained the
to hear noises; so I called a friend and asked if I could stay with her until morning.
consequences we could possibly face if we continued. The American Civil Liberties
I grabbed my purse and a flashlight and went to her house. Five minutes later, I heard
Union (ACLU) had filed a lawsuit challenging the practice of school-sponsored prayer
fire sirens. I looked out the window and my house was engulfed in flames. I praised
and religious activities in Chesterfield County schools. The motion was made by a
God for saving me yet again. I lost every material thing I owned, but I didn’t lose my
board member to change to a ‘moment of silence.’ Just before the vote, I heard a
life.” He also brought her through two cancer surgeries. “Looking back on all the
voice in my spirit repeatedly saying, ‘Stand.’ I knew I had to obey His command.” She
years God protected me and covered me while I just aimlessly danced around makes
was the lone dissenting vote.
NOVEMBER 2015
continued...
SHEMAGAZINE.COM