COVID brought health issues to Jill Mertens

People in Rochester kept asking them if they might expand, so Jay and Jill started talking about if it was a possibility, and they prayed about it. The owners of the Plaza 57 (former Shopko building) contacted them about starting a Creative Stars Academy in Kasson. They looked at the building, and they prayed if this was something they should consider.
They made the move in 2022 and opened the center in Kasson. There were some bumps in the road, like any new business, but they are now moving on a positive note and adding to their staff and the number of children enrolled.
Jill really loves small towns, has a heart for rural communities growing up in one herself, and wants to be part of this community, and has enjoyed making connections with the businesses in Kasson, she said. It has been an honor for her getting to know people that live here. Jill was a worship pastor at a small church for a time, and currently is a lifestyle coach and spiritual mentor with her ministry, reaching and speaking to people all over the U.S.
In November 2021, Jill got COVID pneumonia and ended up in the hospital for a month. She needed to be on oxygen, and she called many pastors in the area and asked them to pray for her. She thought if it was time for her to go then she would prepare to be with God and have peace in that. She would read and lay her Bible on her chest in the hospital bed. Even though she was barely aware of them doing this, they would flip her over and over in her bed each day and night to help with her breathing issues.
The doctors told her that she would likely be put on a ventilator the next day. That night Jill said a lady came into her room and wanted to pray with her. Jill said she opened her mouth imagining the Lord breathing in healing to her lungs, and she was taking in more air and started to breathe better. That morning she told the nurse that a lady had been in her room to pray, and her nurse told her he was the only one checking in on her all night and they must monitor closely who even goes into the room and Jill told him the description of what she looked like, and he said there was no such person!
The doctor told her that she was now almost at 50% oxygen, which was a drastic change from the night before and would not need the ventilator as she was showing significant improvement. She had suffered from COVID/pneumonia and her organs had been shutting down as well.
In about a week Jill was able to leave the hospital, but she suffered from painful edema in her legs that has led to chronic neuropathy in her feet and has the long haul effects of COVID. She had to learn to walk again due to the nerve damage and permanent numbness in her feet, with many months of physical therapy, in a wheelchair just to stand, then with guided help and then to a cane, she started to become stronger. She realized her life would be different, that she would not be able to run or play sports again, and simple things like grocery shopping, walking long distances would be more difficult.
She went through some dark times with her new “normal,” but realized how grateful she is to wake up each morning, open her eyes, breath, see, speak, move, walk and talk and is thankful for another day. She said she has a great medical team that monitors her condition from long COVID. Jill is very thankful for each day so she can help others and the Joy of the Lord is her strength. She wants to love and encourage others with joy in her heart and give them hope.
Music has been a big part of Jill’s life, but when she developed polyps on her vocal cords as an effect from her illness, she could no longer sing any notes. As a singer this was the worst feeling in the world as she loved it so much. She continued to pray that her vocal cords would be healed, and she believed. One day while she was driving, she heard her favorite Christmas song on the radio, and she started to sing along. She was so overcome and caught off guard that she was actually singing, she had to pull over on the side of the road for a few minutes. She called her husband, and told him what had happened, that God gave her voice back! She knows there is a special calling on her life and is excited to fulfill that.
Recently, a friend got in contact with her and asked her about helping her out at an outreach event in the cities. Jill started to write songs, as this is another type of praise. She likens this to a “flower that has come to its full bloom.” It is like a fullness, all the things in my life have brought me to a place where I am truly content, I have immense peace, joy, purpose in my walk and love in my heart for others.
Jay and Jill Mertens-Baker have four active boys that attend a Christian Academy and play basketball and baseball. Jill is a Twins fan, and will watch some of the Vikings’ games. The family will fit in some area camping trips when the schedule allows, fishing, riding bikes, visiting loved ones. She is a reader and likes inspirational books. Joyce Meyer, CeCe Winan, Priscilla Shirer are some of her favorite authors. Jill said she is taller than her husband so he “looks up to her” but he is OK with that! Her life has taken several twists and turns, and she is excited to continue her journey to give hope to others and inspire.