Christians across the globe are mourning the loss of Marcus Lamb, 64, founder and president of Daystar Television, who died early Tuesday of complications of COVID-19. Responses have poured in via social media and other means as faith leaders and others express their regret in response to the announcement of his passing by Daystar television:
It’s with a heavy heart we announce that Marcus Lamb, president and founder of Daystar Television Network, went home to be with the Lord this morning. The family asks that their privacy be respected as they grieve this difficult loss. Please continue to lift them up in prayer. pic.twitter.com/EVujL8zotG
— Daystar Television (@Daystar) November 30, 2021
Pastor and evangelist Greg Laurie, along with many others, requested prayer for Lamb’s family:
Please pray for Marcus Lamb’s family. I will always be grateful for Marcus. He said ‘yes’ every time we wanted to reach more people through Daystar. Millions have heard the Good news because he & Joni dedicated their lives to building a platform for the Gospel to reach the world. https://t.co/3FGLB4UbMi
— Greg Laurie (@greglaurie) November 30, 2021
Franklin Graham, president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse, also shared his condolences via Twitter:
I was shocked to learn today that Marcus Lamb passed away early this morning from complications due to COVID-19. Marcus was the founder of @Daystar, located outside of Dallas. He will be greatly missed. My prayers are with his wife Joni & their children. https://t.co/VKmqeZxJjS
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) November 30, 2021
Healing evangelist Benny Hinn wrote a tribute to Lamb on his website, linking to it in a tweet:
Even as I grieve Marcus Lamb’s passing from this earth, I’m also rejoicing that he has graduated to his remarkable heavenly reward.
Please read my full tribute here: https://t.co/PaU9Rb0X5d pic.twitter.com/2NN9JHh9NX
— Benny Hinn (@Benny_Hinn) December 1, 2021
Hinn’s tribute reads, in part:
Scripture tells us that “the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord” (Psalm 37:23), and certainly that was true of each step of Marcus Lamb’s well-spent 64 years. … Can you imagine his welcoming reception and the rejoicing in heaven?
Marcus Lamb truly affected and inspired my own life in so many ways. He was always uplifting and encouraging to me. Spending time with him during telethons and studio tapings was always a true blessing. I admired his innovation in seeking to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ through every means possible. And my respect for him has continued to grow monumentally through the years.
Only eternity will measure the impact of this beloved man’s life, but the time has come to join his loved ones and believers around the world in mourning his passing. I unite with so many others in celebrating Marcus Lamb’s reunion in heaven with all those who are there as a result of his ministry, and especially as he is now face-to-face with the Lord Jesus, whom my remarkable brother served so faithfully during his memorable lifetime!
Evangelist Marilyn Hickey and her daughter, Bible teacher Sarah Bowling, used Twitter to request prayer for the Lamb family and expressed sadness over the loss of their “great friend”:
Pray for Joni, the Lamb family, and the Daystar staff. The loss of Marcus Lamb is deeply felt. pic.twitter.com/j5Pp86mF8u
— Marilyn and Sarah (@marilynandsarah) November 30, 2021
Jentezen Franklin, senior pastor of the multicampus Free Chapel in Gainesville, Georgia, pointed to the impact of Lamb’s ministry:
So heartbroken over the loss of our dear friend @DaystarMarcus. The impact of his life will carry on forever. Marcus was one of the greatest visionaries and evangelists of our time. @Daystar shares the gospel with over 200 nations and 680 million homes globally every day. pic.twitter.com/luJ1MQZdGz
— Jentezen Franklin (@Jentezen) November 30, 2021
Skip Heitzig, founder and senior pastor of Calvary Church in Albequerque, New Mexico, said of Lamb: “I was saddened to hear that Marcus Lamb left his earthly home and ministry earlier today. He was always kind and openhearted towards everyone, spoke well of others, deeply loved his family, and fought for what he believed in. I will personally remember his encouragement on the golf course and publicly how his generous support for the nation of Israel enabled the gospel to penetrate that part of the world. Marcus has made a great impact on many around the globe and he will be missed.”
O.S. Hawkins, former pastor of First Baptist Dallas, also expressed his gratitude for Lamb and his ministry via Twitter:
Sorry to hear Marcus Lamb passed away this am-when I was pastor of FBCDallas we were the 1st paid programmer on the new DayStar television network…through the years he has been so faithful to support MissionDignity through the promotion of the Code Book series.Prayer4family
— O S Hawkins (@OSHawkins) November 30, 2021
Worship band Planetshakers also posted condolences in a tweet:
Our hearts are heavy with the news of Marcus Lamb’s early graduation to Heaven.
Marcus was an inspiration to many and was truly a man sold out to see souls won for Jesus.
Our deepest condolences go to Marcus’ family and the Daystar Network. You will be dearly missed, Marcus. pic.twitter.com/cU7JTSxhWj
— Planetshakers (@planetshakers) December 1, 2021
Dallas-based Christ for the Nations shared prayers for “Joni and the rest of the family” in its tweet:
We join the rest of our brothers and sisters around the world in celebrating the legacy of Daystar’s founder and former president, Marcus Lamb. His love for spreading the Gospel through Christian television was exceptional.
Our prayers are with Joni and the rest of the family! pic.twitter.com/XtoxZI4Ss8— ChristForTheNations (@CFNI) November 30, 2021
Charismatic evangelist Jesse Duplantis also offered his words of sorrow and solace on Twitter:
When I heard that Marcus Lamb went home to be with the Lord, I was sad and yet I knew without a shadow of a doubt that he was in the presence of God.
Thank you for all that you have done for me as a friend and as a minister. Cathy and I will never forget you.
– Jesse Duplantis pic.twitter.com/M5T5Vj2RMz— Jesse Duplantis (@jesse_duplantis) November 30, 2021
And evangelist James Linzey released the following statement in honor and memory of Lamb:
I grieve the passing away of this dear brother in Christ. I had the privilege of becoming well acquainted with Marcus and Joni on the air during interviews of my books and military ministry. They were and continue to be a tremendous blessing to my life. Marcus accomplished so much during his brief lifetime. For example, he graduated from Lee University at 19 years of age—Magna Cum Laude, established Word of God Fellowship in Macon, Georgia, and established a Christian television station in Montgomery, Alabama in 1985, and Daystar Television Network in Dallas, Texas in 1997. Let us continually lift up Joni Lamb in prayer to God as she continues leading Daystar Television Network in spreading the Gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, around the world. {eoa}
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