Joni Lamb, co-founder of the Daystar Television Network who helped build the Christian broadcasting empire into a global ministry reaching billions, passed away Thursday at age 65.
The network president had been battling significant health problems that worsened following a back injury, according to a statement from the organization. Officials did not disclose the specific cause of death.
“Joni’s love for the Lord and for the people we serve shaped this ministry from the beginning,” the network’s board of directors said in the statement.
Network officials confirmed that the ministry will move forward and that Lamb had ensured proper leadership succession was established.
Joni and Marcus Lamb launched their broadcasting venture in the Dallas region with a single station in 1993. By 1998, Joni had started hosting her popular daily women’s program that became her trademark show.
Operating from Bedford, Texas, Daystar expanded its reach to over 200 nations and features programming from prominent evangelical leaders such as Joel Osteen and T.D. Jakes.
The organization reports reaching 2.3 billion households across the globe.
The ministry embraced Pentecostal beliefs, emphasizing spirit-filled worship practices and teachings about contemporary miracles and spiritual warfare against dark forces.
Beyond her executive role as network president and behind-the-scenes work, Joni Lamb appeared regularly on-air hosting “Joni Table Talk,” where she addressed current topics and issues.
She supported her late husband during a difficult 2010 public admission when he confessed on television to having an extramarital relationship years earlier. Marcus Lamb also claimed three individuals attempted to blackmail him over the matter.
At that time, Joni Lamb revealed that discovering his unfaithfulness left her heartbroken, but she sought guidance through prayer to the Holy Spirit, who responded, “He’s worth fighting for.”
The pair stated they had rebuilt their marriage and wished to handle the situation privately.
“All you can do is tell the truth and take your pain and use it to try to help someone else,” Joni Lamb said.
After Marcus Lamb’s death at 64, she remarried Doug Weiss two years later. The couple co-hosted the program “Ministry Now” together.
