By Tom Siebert
Gary Baer views his life as a “miracle.” His personal, painful math is 30 years of addiction to alcohol and other drugs, six stints in rehab, and three suicide attempts.But in 2004, Gary had a spiritual awakening. Then he got sober and clean, earned a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, and received a master’s in evangelism and leadership from Wheaton College. More recently, the Oswego resident was awarded a certificate in drug and alcohol counseling through Aurora University.
Gary and his wife Linda say they have also witnessed miracles in the lives of many others. Those are the physically and financially challenged men and women who have sought help at Mission Possible, the Christian ministry that they have operated at 63 S. Broadway in downtown Aurora for the past seven years.
“We have had the privilege of having front-row seats to God’s miracles every night of the week,” Gary said. “We just show up and show them the hope of Jesus Christ.”
Mission Possible is a holistic clinic that provides prayer, free healthcare, and Christian counseling to those who are not covered by Medicaid, Medicare, the Veterans Administration, or the U.S. Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act–colloquially called “ObamaCare.”
“We have never turned anyone away,” said Linda, a physical therapist with a master’s in biblical studies from Wheaton College. “We are the safety net of the safety net.”
That net is actually a “net-work” of 475 mission-minded volunteers who serve at the ministry at least once per month, some more frequently.
They include doctors, dentists, hygienists, optometrists, opticians, chiropractors, nurses, nurse practitioners, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech therapists, life coaches, nutrition specialists, interpreters, receptionists, schedulers, and church mentors.
Since Mission Possible opened in February 2012, the ministry has provided more than 9,000 free healthcare visits, the equivalent of over $1.6 million in medical costs. And even though the ministry is equipped with highly skilled practitioners, Linda, an Aurora native, also believes in medical miracles.
“We have seen the blind see, the lame walk, and a dead man come to new life,” she asserted.
That “dead man walking” was named José, who came in for routine dental work, Linda recalled. But when the dentist noticed that his patient had unusually high blood pressure, he referred him to a physician, who diagnosed renal failure and successfully treated him for the potentially fatal disease.
“If the dentist had not noticed that, he would not be here,” she said. José’s name is now on a waiting list for a new kidney.
Then there was a young grandmother, Janine, who came in for a vision test but did not realize that she was going blind. “She could not tell the difference when I held up two and three fingers right before her face,” Linda recounted.
Janine was referred to an eye surgeon, a donor was prayed for and found, and successful cataract surgery was performed, restoring her vision.
But perhaps the most supernatural healing took place in a patron name Francisco, who walked into Mission Possible limping from a diabetic wound in his foot. Linda worked on his locked ankle off and on for six months with limited success.
“Finally, we just surrendered it to the Lord,” she said. “And then six months later he came through the door walking without crutches…with equal balance on both feet.”
The Baers will soon be embarking on their own faith walk, as they will be leaving Mission Possible to live near their three adult daughters in Seattle. Taking over full rein of the ministry will be Marina Koval and Tim Smith.
Marina immigrated to the U.S. from Ukraine with her parents and six siblings in 1999. She later earned a doctorate in pharmacy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She began as a volunteer at Mission Possible and became the clinic’s director of free healthcare in September 2017.
“I always wanted to be involved in mission work but found out that I did not have to go to another country to do that,” Marina said. “I could do it right here in my own backyard.”
The Montgomery resident has no doubt that Mission Possible will continue to prosper because of the training that she received from the Baers, the dedication of the volunteers, and the help from on high.
“The volunteers are amazing,” said Marina. “They show up at exactly the right time. I know that’s God working.”
Tim worked in the oil industry for 36 years and has been spending his “retirement” as the ministry’s chaplain.
“I’ve always felt that God’s hand has been on me and that He had plans for my life,” he said. “I started volunteering at Mission Possible and immediately knew that this is where God wants me to be.”
The storefront clinic doubles as a fellowship hall for men in recovery, many of them from nearby Wayside Cross Ministries. They come in for coffee, play chess or ping-pong, or just hang out in a “safe place.”
All of the patrons are offered prayer, and over the years “only a handful” have declined it, Gary said, adding that nominal donations are suggested but not required.
The ministry also provides free haircuts; computers for those seeking work and/or reconnection with loved ones; and informal, Bible-based life-skills classes. “We call it street-level theology for the rough and tumble,” says Gary.
Mission Possible is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. It is open from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Fridays. Appointments may be made by calling (630) 801-0086. Those who wish to donate, volunteer, or just learn more about the ministry may visit the website at http://www.onjesusmission.org.
The Baers are already looking into ministerial opportunities out West, but for now their hearts remain in the city of lights. They are fervently praying for more volunteers at Mission Possible, especially for the dental clinic, which comprises 60 percent of their medical care and where there is an 18-month wait for services.
Based on past praise reports, the compassionate couple has faith that their prayers will be answered and that the ministry is being left in good hands.
“Tim and Marina are more than we could ever ask for or imagine,” Linda said. “I’m very excited about the future of Mission Possible.”
