Joanne Ellison

I’ve lived in the Lowcountry for most of my life, and Charleston has been home through every season: raising my family, building my nonprofit and creating work that reaches women both here and far beyond. In 2000, I founded Drawing Near to God (DNG) in Mount Pleasant with a vision to help women grow closer to God, build lasting communities of support and understand that they were never meant to walk alone. Since then, I’ve written more than twenty Bible studies and books, produced digital teaching resources and developed weekly programs that foster connection and spiritual growth.

I’m passionate about sharing the love of God in ways that are accessible, meaningful and relatable. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of speaking from South Carolina to California and even at the Women’s Union of Nairobi, Kenya. However, the heart of my work will always be Charleston.