History
After much prayer and study, Joanne Ellison founded the Drawing Near to God Bible Study in January 2000 with the help of several Christian friends. Drawing Near to God is a weekly program of worship, small group discussion, and Bible teaching focusing on life application. Based on James 4:8, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you,” its purpose is to encourage participants to become involved in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Drawing Near to God has a Biblically-based life-related focus. The goal is to provide opportunities for individuals to develop a closer relationship with Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, allowing the Holy Spirit to work in them. Drawing Near to God offers an opportunity to study God’s Word individually and to share insights within a small group. It encourages participants to pray together and for each other, as well as provides time for large group instruction.
Statement of Faith
We believe in the Trinity: God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Jesus Christ is the perfect revelation of God to mankind and is the way to the Father through His sacrificial death and resurrection. We are saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. We believe in the continuing work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the individual believer as well as in the life of the church today. We believe that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God.
Endorsement by Rev. Steve Wood, Rector of St. Andrew's
I see Drawing Near to God as a strategic tool, sensitively crafted to address the needs of modern-day disciples who seek to grow deeper in their spiritual walk. I know many people who have found the mix of worship, teaching, and ministry deeply satisfying and a source of encouragement in their lives.
Biography of Joanne Ellison
Joanne Ellison states that her mission is to create, nurture, and maintain an attitude and outlook that encourages individuals to grow in the knowledge and love of the Lord Jesus Christ. Joanne is a noted retreat leader and trainer of Bible study teachers for the past 18 years. Her warm and witty style challenges her listeners toward greater closeness to God in their daily lives. She feels we are able to obey the Great Commandment and love God with all our strength only after receiving God’s Spirit and His love and healing in our hearts, souls, and minds.
As leader and teacher of Drawing Near to God, Joanne writes, teaches, and produces Bible study materials based on the Holy Scriptures of both the Old and New Testaments. Her teachings reach across denominational boundaries and have been well received by men and women who are serious about enhancing their relationship with Christ. As leader of Drawing Near to God, she states, “I want the Bible to come alive. It’s so exciting to look out over our groups and see folks from different denominations growing deeper in the Word together.
Joanne is married to cardiologist, Dr.
Blount Ellison. She is the mother of three and grandmother
of four. Her background
includes extensive training in Prayer Ministry. She resides
in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina and is an active member of
St. Andrew’s.