Paula Mitchell is a Spiritual Director, teacher, retreat facilitator, writer, wife, and mother of four grown sons. She and her husband Jim live in Sequim. Paula is the founder and executive director of Doorways Ministries. Paula brings to Doorways her own desire for deeper intimacy with Jesus, a love of prayer, and a heart to share with others the freedom and joy found in following Jesus.

Cathy Thwing is a wife, mother of 2 adult children, grandmother, Presbyterian deacon & elder, spiritual director, and currently leads the prayer ministry at her church, a 5 year old church plant in the South Lake Union neighborhood of Seattle. She treasures the opportunities she has had to live in interesting places at interesting times in history, the South during the Civil Rights Movement, the Middle East during the 1967 Arab/Israeli war and Europe during the fall of communism. Cathy is passionate about helping people to experience the transformation that Jesus offers and is grateful to be part of Doorways because of the opportunities for transformative experiences that it offers.

Julie Freed lives in Sequim, Washington.  She has served in a variety of prayer, music, and women’s church ministries.  Since she loves all kinds of financial tasks, Julie focuses her Doorways Board service on the ministry’s finances.  As a participant in Free Our Hearts, Days of Prayer, and the Three-Day Retreats, she also knows firsthand the value of these ministries.


Joy Drovdahl lives in Shoreline and is a spiritual director who leads retreats emphasizing Ignatian spirituality.   Her Christian faith is ecumenical embracing Protestant and Catholic traditions that form an enlivening blend of Scripture and mystery.   She wholeheartedly believes Doorways Ministries offers unique opportunities for us to encounter Jesus no matter where we find ourselves on the path of faith.  Joy loves spending time with family, traveling, writing, art and being active in God’s creation.