Pastors

At Mount Olive Lutheran Church, we are deeply grateful for the leadership and guidance of those who faithfully serve our congregation. Each of our leaders and staff members brings unique gifts, talents, and a heart for God’s work, helping us grow spiritually and as a community. Through their dedication, we experience the love, wisdom, and grace of God in powerful ways.

Mount Olive Lutheran School Staff >

Get to Know Our Pastors

Pastor Timothy Priewe, Associate Pastor, Worship and Outreach

After graduating from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in May 2019, Pastor Priewe received his first assignment to serve at Mount Olive. He served as a vicar (intern) at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Verona and Monroe, WI.

“Recently, I was able to visit the Mount of Olives outside Jerusalem, where Jesus ascended into heaven. There he commissioned his disciples, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” My mission at Mount Olive in Appleton is to keep witnessing and training witnesses of the good news of Jesus Christ so that we may all gather together to worship our gracious and victorious Savior!”

Pastor’s wife, Carissa, daughter, Josie, and son, Teddy, enjoy camping, outdoor activities, softball, golf, and spending time with their family and their cat, Charlie Pepper.

Pastor Joe Gawel, Associate Pastor, School and Family Ministry

Joe Gawel began serving as a pastor in Saginaw, Michigan, in 2013 as an instructor and wrestling coach at Michigan Lutheran Seminary. In 2015, Joe was reassigned to Victory Lutheran Church in Lexington, Kentucky, and served there as pastor for almost eight years. Joe began his service to Mount Olive in January 2023 as the pastor of the school and family ministry.

“God has equipped each of his children uniquely to be his light in this world by doing his will. It has been a humbling honor to meet so many of God’s children and, as their pastor, see the way God has equipped, blessed, loved, grown, forgiven, and worked through them exactly as they are. Mount Olive has been blessed with many people and opportunities to serve those who know the Lord and those who don’t. My prayer for Mount Olive, myself, and God’s people around the world is that we grow in our appreciation and knowledge of the Word, then do the loving work of equipping one another for service so that we might build one another up in Jesus.”

Pastor Gawel’s wife, Jackie, teaches Spanish at FVL. Joe and Jackie have two wonderful children, OJ and Luca. Joe enjoys hanging out with this family, music, movies, novels, and running in the woods.

Pastor Jon Hackbarth, Associate Pastor

Pastor Hackbarth was born on October 29, 1973. He grew up primarily in Lake City, MN, where he attended Lutheran elementary school, and went on to attend Martin Luther Preparatory School (MLPS) in Prairie du Chien, WI. He then continued his ministerial training at Northwestern College in Watertown, WI, eventually graduating in 1996 from Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN.

During his seminary training, Pastor Hackbarth did his pastoral internship (vicar year) at Divine Word Lutheran Church in Plover, WI. He then served a vacancy call for one year at Peace Lutheran in Hartford, WI, after which he continued part-time during
his final year at the seminary.

During 26 years of ministry, Pastor Hackbarth has served King of King Lutheran in Garden Grove, CA (5 years), Salem Lutheran in Woodbury, MN (15 years), and St. John’s in Sparta, WI (5 years). He has also served in various capacities beyond the local congregation, including regional youth camps, St. Croix Lutheran Academy Board of Regents, workshop presenter, synod convention delegate, Everyone Outreach facilitator, and Circuit Pastor in multiple districts.

Pastor and his wife Jenny have been married for 29 years and are blessed with two children – Ayden (22) and Addison (20), both of whom currently live and work in the La Crosse area. Jenny has also served in ministry in a variety of settings and roles and will be serving as a third-grade teacher at Mount Olive.

Along with spending quality time with family and friends, pastor and Jenny enjoy athletics and coaching, with experience competing and/or coaching volleyball, basketball, tennis, soccer, and more. Other interests and hobbies include travel and exploring new places, being outdoors, and gardening. They are pleased to call Mount Olive their home and cherish the privilege of sharing Jesus with their new church home and community.