Marcus Lamb Tribute
As many of you know, my sweetheart, Marcus Lamb, Founder, President, and CEO of Daystar Television Network, passed away November 30, 2021, at 4 AM. It was––and still is––the hardest thing I’ve ever had to face. He was one of the greatest gifts God has ever given me, and I want to honor and celebrate him by sharing about the life he lived and the legacy he leaves behind.
Born in Cordele, Georgia, on October 7, 1957, Marcus began his journey as a joyful, determined child, and his upbringing in the rural South forged in him a strong work ethic, and most importantly, a compassionate, faith-driven heart. Even as a young child, he fervently studied the Bible, committing it to memory, and he began preaching in his teens.
By the age of sixteen, he attended Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee. He went on to earn his degree and graduated Magna Cum Laude at the age of nineteen. His determination and fervency for sharing the Gospel would set him on the path of an evangelist, and he soon found himself traveling the country ministering. He preached with such anointing and authority that he became a frequent speaker at many crusades and revivals in countless churches, and he was known to many as a “Walking Bible.” While preaching, he would always share his immense knowledge of Scripture, often quoting notable amounts from memory.
In one such revival at Tremont Avenue Church of God in Greenville, SC, Marcus would enter my life. The year was 1980, and I remember how passionate for the Lord he was. I had no idea at the time that he would become my husband. When we first went out, I remember thinking how funny he was. He could always make me laugh. We fell in love and got married in August 1982, and I joined him on the road as we traveled around ministering. I would sing before he preached, and he would just flow with the Holy Spirit as he ministered.
Less than a year into our marriage, while on a trip to Israel in 1983, the Lord spoke to Marcus about building a Christian television station, and our lives were about to drastically change forever. Our first station would be located in Montgomery, Alabama––a first for the city and the state. So, we said “yes” to this mandate from God and moved to Alabama. To say it was “on-the-job” training would be an understatement. We had no idea what we were doing at first, but God was faithful. And at 3 AM on October 12, 1985, with broken down and used equipment, “45 Alive” officially launched. Seven days later, our son Jonathan was born. Marcus always said the Lord had given us two babies.
This would be the first seed planted that would eventually grow to become the international television network you know today. By the 90’s, we knew God was moving us to another city, so Marcus and I, along with our two young children, Jonathan and Rachel, relocated to Dallas, Texas. The Lord had set us on a new adventure to build another TV station in a much bigger market. Here we would put down roots, soon adding to our family our youngest daughter, Rebecca, and launching KMPX-TV 29. In just under five years, that one station would multiply, and on January 1, 1998, the Daystar Television Network was born.
Under his visionary leadership, the network grew to more than one hundred television stations across America and is on nearly every major cable and satellite provider across the globe, reaching almost every country in the world, including many nations with little to no access to the Word of God. That was always Marcus’ heart for Daystar––to make sure every individual on this planet had the opportunity to know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior.
For over two decades, Marcus led Daystar to new heights, expanding its reach to new platforms, and in 2006, the network was granted a license to become the first and only Christian television network to broadcast throughout the nation of Israel on the country’s HOT cable and YES direct-to-home satellite systems. Marcus counted this as one of the highest honors God had blessed us with.
Fiercely committed to the Great Commission, Marcus kept compassion, love, hope, faith, and encouragement as the central focus of Daystar. This led to the participation in, and the completion of, various efforts and projects all over the world, including many humanitarian efforts following natural disasters, remodeling and supporting orphanages in places such as the Philippines and South Africa, helping provide public mobile shelters through Vision for Israel, supporting the Reach Initiative International in Israel, assisting in the construction of a trauma wing at a hospital in the Holy Land, giving to an Ethiopian Community Center in Israel through Messiah’s Mandate, and more.
As a father and grandfather, Marcus was affectionate, fun-loving, wise, and unrelentingly devoted. This bond of family-first contributed to deep relationships with our now adult children and their spouses, each sharing that passion to reach as many as possible with the Gospel and working alongside Marcus and me as part of the Daystar team.
Over his nearly 50 years in ministry, Marcus Lamb left an indelible mark on those around him. A true friend when it counted most. I can’t tell you how many stories I’ve heard since his passing where individuals have reached out to tell me that Marcus helped them with this or with that. He really had such a heart for people. He was also a champion of God’s love and biblical truth. Even in those last days, he was casting a vision for how he wanted Daystar to do more in standing up for truth and Godly principles. He, of course, was also a man with a giving heart, a willing spirit, and a faith that was never quenched. He never stopped believing in the power and goodness of God. And lastly, but most importantly, Marcus was a family man who loved with a smile and his whole heart. We always strived to make sure to put our children before ministry and that’s why they have such strong faith today and are standing alongside me as we carry the vision of Daystar forward.
The legacy he leaves behind is more than just a television network. It’s in the warm memories I shared with him as his wife. I can truly say he was the love of my life. It’s in the faith and strong character of his children and their spouses, Jonathan and Suzanna Lamb, Joshua and Rachel Brown, and Jonathan and Rebecca Weiss. And it will live on in the next generation through his now 5 grandchildren, which includes a new bundle of joy on the way for Jonathan and Rebecca Weiss. And all of you Daystar friends and family around the world carry it too, through your continued support and encouragement and through sharing Daystar with your loved ones.
Though our hearts grieve this great loss, we take comfort in knowing that he was greeted into heaven with these words from the Father, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” He fought the good fight and finished the race. We will continue to carry the torch forward until that sweet day when we shall see him again. And, for that day, I can hardly wait.
- Joni
