subject: Marcus Lamb: Daystar Television Network's Beginning [print this page] Marcus Lamb: Daystar Television Network's Beginning
When they had been married for only seven months, Marcus Lamb and his bride, Joni, went on a trip to Israel. It was there, on the Mount of Olives, that God called them to begin television ministry in Montgomery, Alabama.
Marcus had been a successful evangelist for several years at that point, and had every intention of continuing in that ministry. He knew God was speaking to him, but his mind raced with questions and excuses for God. "Why would You ask me to do something else when You have blessed me as an evangelist? I don't know how to build a TV station! I don't have the money to build a TV station!" God simply repeated His direction, "Go to Montgomery, Alabama and build a TV station."
When the Lambs got home, Marcus knew they needed to be certain of God's direction before they took such a huge step. They were living in Joni's hometown of Greenville, South Carolina the only place she ever lived. Following God would require sacrifice, and they needed to be sure He was speaking. The couple fasted and prayed for three days, and they knew beyond question they were to go to Alabama and build the TV station.
The time in Montgomery was not easy. At first, people were not receptive to what they were doing. It was expensive. The facilities weren't good. Things were tough. But God provided and they pressed on toward their goal. In October of 1985, exactly one week before the birth of their first son, Channel 45 went on the air.
After seven years filled with hardship, but also with God's provision, the Marcus Lamb felt the call to go to the Dallas area to build a station. Things were finally going well in Alabama, and he and Joni didn't want to leave, but they knew they must follow God. Even though they felt like they were starting over, God blessed them and they grew quickly. They soon picked up stations in Denver and Georgia. Just four years after going to Texas, Marcus Lamb was celebrating the beginning of the Daystar Television Network.
Today, according to their website, Daystar is the second largest Christian network in the world, and the fastest growing. Marcus Lamb had humble beginnings, but great things have happened in his life!
