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 an empty-nester, an Enneagram Four, and an INFP. She is a wife to Chris, a mama to young adult daughters, Carson and Campbell, and a mother-in-law to Jared. Jesus captured her thirteen year-old heart with a compelling love, and He continues to be the richest relationship in her life. Her faith journey has known as many ditches as it has mountain peaks. She has tested His unlimited patience and tenacious grace and has found them to be solid and true at every turn.

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.

Rhonda Altman

Program Director

Rhonda Altman is the Five Sparrows Program Director, and she brings a vibrant, faith-filled spirit to the team! A loving wife and mother of three wonderful children, Rhonda's outgoing personality and natural ability to connect with people from all walks of life instantly make everyone feel comfortable. Her positive energy lights up every room she enters, and she's always ready to listen and help without hesitation. Coming from a large family of six children, she's the baby girl who could never do any wrong in her Dad's eyes, and she keeps his memory alive by giving back to her home church. She is also mom to a precious fur baby named Braxton Nesmith!

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.