Pastor Joel Zank has been in the ministry since 1987. He has served Mount Olive since 1996.  His ministry began in the classroom. Pastor Zank served as a religion teacher at Shoreland Lutheran High School near Kenosha, Wisconsin. He entered parish ministry when he was called to serve a congregation in Rochester, Minnesota. In 2014 he was elected President of the WELS Northern Wisconsin District. In this role he spends time working with member churches and called workers throughout the area.

“Ministry means serving others with God’s Word. Mount Olive is a church that ministers to all. It seeks to minister to its members by using God’s Word to instruct and encourage them. At the same time, Mount Olive ministers to the people of Appleton, seeking to share the good news of God’s saving love with everyone. This is best accomplished when we at Mount Olive are growing in our knowledge of Christ and, then, living our faith in him every day.”

Pastor Zank and his wife Cindy have one daughter, Carrie. The Zanks love to camp as well as cheer for the Brewers and Packers.

After serving an exploratory mission in Houghton, Michigan, for nine years, Pastor Robert Raasch was called to serve at Mount Olive in 1995.  His current congregational responsibilities include administration, member ministry and stewardship. He also serves the WELS as a circuit pastor and the chairman of the Chairman of the Asia One Team Administrative Committee (AOTAC).

“I believe that Mount Olive offers a wide range of ministries designed to meet the spiritual needs of young and old alike; but most importantly, Mount Olive offers a message of God’s unconditional love for sinners. The thing I most enjoy about this ministry is the opportunity to help people grow closer to God through a study of His Word. There is nothing quite as rewarding as seeing a person’s eyes light up as he or she discovers the answers God offers in His Holy Word.”

Pastor Raasch’s wife, Sarah, is a registered nurse. Together, they have two grown daughters, Rachel and Allison. Pastor enjoys spending his free time fishing, hunting, and cheering on the Green Bay Packers.

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 and daughter Josie enjoy camping, outdoor activities, softball, golf, spending time with their family, and their cat, Charlie Pepper.