Our Pastors

Pastor Ben Berger graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in May 2000. He spent his first two years in the ministry serving as an instructor at Nebraska Evangelical Lutheran High School in Waco, NE. In Nebraska Pastor Berger taught German, Latin and Religion and coached Basketball and Soccer. Pastor Berger came to Mount Olive in July 2002.

"Being a minister means being a servant. Using God's word I seek to serve all I meet by showing them how much God loves them. God has removed your sin and guilt through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God has promised to help you through this life until you share all the blessings of heaven. I'm here only to remind you of what God has already done for you."

In his free time Pastor Berger enjoys playing and watching all kinds of sports. He takes every opportunity to cheer for the Packers, Badgers, Foxes and Mustangs.

Pastor Robert Raasch has served at Mt. Olive since 1995. He spent the first nine years of his ministry serving as an outreach explorer and campus pastor in Houghton, Michigan.

"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. They have two daughters, Rachel and Allison, born in 1988 and 1990 respectively. Together the Raasch family enjoys spending time fishing, camping, playing tennis, and cheering on the Green Bay Packers.

Pastor David E. Bode has been in the ministry for more than 40 years, and has served congregations in Kent and Tacoma, Wash., Delano, Minn., and Beaver Dam, Wis. He has been Mount Olive's visitation pastor since 2006.

"I try to be like an MD in the medical field, an all-around person in the care of souls. I enjoy serving the home-bound members of the congregation."

Pastor Bode's wife, Carol, has worked as a teacher and part-time for American Greetings. They have five children and nine grandchildren. Pastor Bode's interests include woodcarving and reading.

Pastor Joel Zank has been in the ministry since 1987. He has served Mount Olive for 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.

" 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, born in 1988. The Zanks love to camp, cheer for the Packers and play racquetball.