About Us

Tenacious Grace was founded in 2014 by Cookie Cawthon. What began as a women’s ministry focused on generating resources soon evolved into a ministry with a vision to connect women from all walks of life to Jesus and see them step into community with one another.

We are one-part traditional women’s ministry and one-part recovery ministry. On the traditional women’s ministry side, we host a yearly women’s retreat, Tandem, generate teaching curriculum, speak at churches throughout the state, and create products and resources.

In jail, we build relationships and teach the women currently incarcerated in Pod H of the Florence County Detention Center about God’s fierce love and tenacious grace. All funds raised from our teaching curriculum, events, products, and donations are used to help us reach hurting women with the message of Truth, strength, and hope in Jesus.

In 2021 we opened Five Sparrows, a free twenty-four month recovery residence for women who are survivors of abuse, addiction, poverty,  and prostitution.

Find out more about Five Sparrows or how you can get involved in the mission of Tenacious Grace.

Cookie Cawthon

Executive Director

Cookie Cawthon is a writer, speaker, and the founder of Tenacious Grace--a ministry born out of her own story with Jesus. She uses her gifts to create Bible Studies and speak at churches and events of all shapes and sizes. Her passion for reaching women led her to a local jail where she spends Sunday mornings teaching and connecting with women. She loves every opportunity she gets to teach others about God's fierce love and tenacious grace.

Rachel Desta

program director

Rachel Desta is a lover of Jesus, wife to her favorite man, and a forever champion of the underdog! Shortly after meeting Jesus, she moved to Ethiopia where she lived for three years. During that time Jesus took her on a roller coaster journey of falling more in love with Him and His people. That fierce love will be on display to the women who are part of Five Sparrows. In her free time you will find her traveling or out on her family farm caring for her horse.

Danielle Rhodes

Operations Director

Danielle Rhodes is an organizer extraordinaire. Her love for Jesus and people -- combined with her ability to break a big thing down into all of its moving pieces -- has made her an incredible asset to the TG team as the Operations Director. She's a wife. Mom. Underdog champion. Event organizer. Baby whisperer. And when not busy serving across many ministries, you can likely find her glued to a good book or possibly a baking show.

Danielle Donahue

Residential Manager

Danielle Donahue is a devoted Christian, wife, mother, and grandmother.  She truly enjoys helping and encouraging others.  Her life story, which has been filled with many trials and tribulations, will inspire the women at Five Sparrows.  She knows this is God’s plan and purpose for her life.  In her free time, you will find her spending time with her family and taking road trips.

  • Allen Griffin

    President

  • Lois Blanco

    Treasurer

  • Dena Crews

  • Adriane McCall

  • Dick Brown

  • Ann Garinther

  • Kay Douglas

  • Ashley O. Davis

  • Cookie Cawthon