Meet Joanne
Joanne Ellison is an engaging speaker, writer and Bible teacher. Her wisdom is rooted in a deep love for the Word of God. With vulnerability and humor, she has a knack for bringing living scripture freshly alive to new generations of women in today’s world.
She shares her passion far and wide, from the coast of South Carolina to the coast of California, from university campuses to the Women’s Union of Nairobi, Kenya.
Back in 2000, driven by a vision to motivate women to pursue a deeper relationship with their Creator, Joanne founded Drawing Near to God, an international nonprofit based in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. In the years since, she’s reached thousands of women through Christian radio, television broadcasts, her weekly Bible study, live streaming, speaking, books, blogs, CDs and DVDs. She’s authored more than 20 Bible study guides and books, including the popular Drawing Near to God: A 365 Day Devotional, Sitting at His Feet, Tell Your Heart to Beat Again and Making Space for God.
DNG and Joanne’s teachings help transform women, empowering hearts and minds to love God and love each other. This happens through Teaching and Worship Experiences, Prayer Ministry, Face-to-Face Mentoring, Outreach, and Small Groups where lifelong bonds are formed.
Joanne is a mother of three, grandmother of 11, great-grandmother of 1, and has been married for 50 years to Dr. Blount Ellison. Making her home in the Charleston area for most of her life, she’s a graduate of the College of Charleston and an active member of St. Andrew’s Church in Mount Pleasant.