A former Director General of the Liberia News Agency (LINA), Mr. Joseph Tingo Mustapha, has been celebrated in the United States for his outstanding and distinguished services, acute sense of mission, and selfless devotion to his community, humanity, and the church. Hundreds gathered Sunday, July 20, 2025, from across the United States at the Church of Pentecost U.S.A Inc, in the City of Orange, New Jersey, for the celebration. Mr. Mustapha is a veteran Liberian journalist, political strategist, and media specialist.
The honoring ceremony, organized by the Church of Pentecost U.S.A. Inc. (PIWC) was a retirement service to appreciate Elder Mustapha for several years of distinguished service in his role as Elder of the church. He was ordained a Deacon in 2006 and elevated to Elder in 2011. In his role as Elder of the Church, PIWC said Elder Mustapha, who the congregation affectionately refers to as “Elder Mus” has contributed immensely to strengthening the Church of Pentecost U.S.A. Inc., and credited him for helping to establish the food pantry.
The Church stated that the food pantry has continued to provide food to thousands of community residents and those in nearby areas. The Church of Pentecost is a global Pentecostal denomination that originated in the West African nation of Ghana. The church has a physical presence in more than 151 countries across the globe, including the continental USA.
In his sermon, Pastor Ernest Adu-Gyamfi made several references to areas of the church that Elder Mustapha has continued to faithfully serve. The pastor said most people have special talents, and said people are called to serve their community and church, but many times these calls go unheeded. But he said Elder Mustapha has passionately embraced his calling. He said the gathering of so many church leaders and members from other locations of the church, as well as the numerous well-wishes, bears testimony to how much Elder Mustapha is appreciated.
Flanked by his wife of over 35years, Mrs. Martha Mustapha, their four children, and grandchildren, as well as hundreds of well-wishes, the 75-year-old Mustapha was at times emotional with tears of joy, as the Church read the citation for the honoring. The Church said, “Today, the PIWC family recognizes, honors, and celebrates your impact on the church”, the citation read, praising the former Director General of the Liberia News Agency. Mrs. Mustapha worked as a Senior Cashier at the Liberia Telecommunications Corporation in Liberia.
The church said Elder Mustapha was not only pivotal in establishing the food pantry, but he has also been the backbone behind the initiative, and devoted countless hours so that members of the community and the church can benefit from the pantry. The church said the food pantry has been the heart and soul of Elder Mustapha, and said “from the beginning, Elder Mustapha has made it his mission not only to feed those in need but also to make sure the pantry operates with integrity and excellence, always ensuring compliance with the rules and guidelines of the food bank”.
The church said, “his attention to detail and commitment to doing things the right way have earned Elder Mustapha respect and trust both inside and outside the church, and said, “his ability to see beyond the present and work toward a better future for the people we serve has truly transformed the ministry into a beacon of hope”.
The church said that besides the food pantry, Elder Mustapha, who also served as former Director of Media Relations at Liberia’s Ministry of Information(MICAT), has been actively involved in other aspects of the church’s growth. The church said Elder Mustapha has “faithfully served as our legal and government liaison, leading us to secure worship spaces in Newark, New Jersey, and in East Orange, New Jersey, and said Elder Mustapha is driven by “passion to strengthen the church’s impact on the community”. The church said Elder Mustapha spearheaded the creation of the church’s social services department, including the food pantry.
“For over 15 years, this vital ministry has supported thousands of families, drawing long lines every last Saturday of the month from those in need”, and “your leadership has set a high standard for Christian service-not only at PIWC Orange but across the COP USA”, the citation said. The citation said “his extensive record at PIWC Orange speaks volumes”, noting that Elder Mustapha has held leadership roles at local, area, and national levels within the Pentecostal Social Services Ministry (PENTSOS).
In his remarks, Elder Mustapha thanked the church for the honor and said he was deeply touched by the kind sentiments not only in words but also by the very large turnout from the church and the community. Elder Mustapha acknowledged his loving wife, Mrs. Martha Mustapha for being the pillar in his life, and said Mrs. Mustapha has stood firmly behind him through thick and thin, describing her as God sent.
Elder Mustapha said it was his wife who led him to the Church of Pentecost U.S.A. more than 21 years ago, and that they were both warmly received by the congregation, whom he referred to as family. Elder Mustapha said his wife has been his backbone, and highlighted her deep devotion to God, her unconditional love for him, and her strength to their family.
After the church ceremony, the couple went to their residence to change into special attire ordered from Nigeria for the occasion. The well-wishers gathered in a lavishly decorated reception hall, entertained by gospel music, to await the grand entrance of Mr. and Mrs. Mustapha.
When the two triumphantly entered the hall, the crowd roared in thunderous applause and cheers. It was a jubilation to witness, with both dancing to the tune of the religious song as the crowd joined in the dance to celebrate Elder Mustapha.
After the lavish reception, the two retired and later returned to the hall, this time, wearing specially made attire from Ghana. It was a spectacle to watch and a celebration befitting of a distinguished Liberian who has worked tirelessly for his community, church, and country.
