Balancing Faith and Politics: A Conversation with Rev. Luther Tarpeh
Rev. Luther Tarpeh, the Chairman of the Unity Party in Liberia, has recently shared his thoughts on the delicate balance between his political responsibilities and his role as a pastor. In an interview conducted on November 5, 2025, in Monrovia, he emphasized that his calling to both positions came from a higher power.
Tarpeh, who serves as the Senior Pastor of the Hilltop Pillar of Fire Church on Robertfield Highway, has been actively involved in Liberian politics while maintaining his pastoral duties. He addressed concerns about how he manages these dual roles without interference, stating that he is not troubled by the interplay between his careers.
“I didn’t plan to become a pastor or even a politician,” Tarpeh explained. “However, my devotional life as a Christian and the biblical knowledge I have gained have inspired me to take on these roles.”
He added, “If you ask me, I don’t want to be a pastor, but when God calls you, there are no further questions. You get it, and I didn’t want to be like Jonah, who ended up somewhere and did not want to preach God’s work.”
Tarpeh also reflected on the importance of answering God’s call. “I don’t bother about it, because I didn’t call myself; God calls me, and I must answer,” he said. “I’m happy God gave me the grace. I preach to my people on Sunday, and I go and serve my country on Monday.”
Despite his current roles, Tarpeh admitted that he wasn’t initially interested in becoming a pastor. His journey into pastoral leadership was unexpected, yet he embraces it wholeheartedly.
A Blessing for Liberia
During a recent reception of Dr. Keith A. Hershey, founder of the Mutual Faith Ministries (MFM), Tarpeh highlighted the significance of the visit. Dr. Hershey had returned to Liberia after nearly 40 years, and Tarpeh described this as a blessing for the nation.
“It is a wonderful thing to have a great friend of Liberia returning after over 40 years, and I think his visitation emphasized that our nation is on the right trajectory,” Tarpeh stressed.
He explained that Dr. Hershey has long been a supporter of Liberia’s moral fabric and development, especially before the Civil War. His return, according to Tarpeh, indicates that the nation is on the path of transformation.
“I remembered as a young Christian, we used to watch his tapes as he preached and taught on ELBC Television, and this is a man who was supporting the moral fabric of Liberia prior to the civil war, and to see them back is a clear indication that Liberia is back on the right path,” Tarpeh added.
Future Prospects
While Tarpeh currently holds both political and pastoral roles, his comments about not wanting to be a pastor might suggest a potential shift in the future. It is possible that he may one day step back from his pastoral duties to focus solely on his political career.
Tarpeh is currently positioned to become the next Managing Director of the National Port Authority (NPA). This comes amid changes at the entity and frequent dismissals under President Boakai’s administration.