During their time at Daystar TV Network, former Vice President Jonathan Lamb and his wife, Suzy Lamb, say they were spiritually abused by Jonathan’s mother, Daystar President Joni Lamb, and her close ally, Jimmy Evans.
In this special edition of The Roys Report, we’re releasing full audio of Joni and Jimmy Evans’ meeting with Jonathan and Suzy Lamb in which Evans claims Joni is “the voice of God” to Jonathan and Suzy.
Joni is the co-founder, with her late husband, Marcus, of Daystar TV—which has become consumed in a scandal involving the alleged cover-up the sexual abuse of Jonathan and Suzy’s daughter.
But Jonathan and Suzy also objected to Joni’s marriage to sex therapist Doug Weiss. And when the couple refused to read a viewer comment on-air, praising Joni’s marriage, Joni called them into a meeting. And to reinforce her authority over her son and employee, Joni brought in Jimmy Evans, the founder of XO Marriage and Turning Point Ministries.
During this meeting, recently reported on by The Roys Report, the two well-known Christian personalities provide blatant examples of spiritual abuse.
According to author Remy Diederich: “Spiritual abuse happens when people use God, or their supposed relationship with God, to control behavior for their benefit.”
For nearly 90 minutes, Joni and Evans claim the mantle of “representatives of God.” And when Jonathan and Suzy resist, Joni says they’re living in rebellion, and they’ll bring a curse on themselves and their kids.
In the interest of transparency, we’re releasing the full audio, which was recorded on July 11, 2023. It has been only lightly edited, to remove the name of a person who has been accused of child sex abuse but not formally charged with any crime.
Transcript for this edition available on YouTube.
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87 Responses
This is evil, twisted and filthy. A little girl was raped, and then her grandmother who commanded others and self not to pursue justice and judgement for this little girl married a married man who yet has the wife of his youth and four children with this Covenant ordained by YHWH. This is serious crime and YHWH is watching. Malachi 2:14 — Revelation 2:20,21,22,23,24
Wow, I’m only 30 minutes in but the spiritual abuse is so obvious and frightening. Suzy and Jonathan, I genuinely hope you can get some wise counsel from someone who understands spiritual abuse and trauma care for your precious daughter. Run, flee and separate yourselves emotionally, physically and financially from these manipulative people. You can still both love someone and choose healthy and safe boundaries. May the Lord heal your family and restore what is broken. I urge you to take encouragement from others who have survived and thrived after this level of abuse. Your story is not over. Thanks be to God that he specializes in mending the broken and making things new and more beautiful. Praying for you today!
Wow! The Christian woman, and Daystar president Joni Lamb using profanity while talking to her son, and daughter in law. Joni appears to want to control her kids. Jimmy is a whole mess, and needed to stay out of it! Joni shame on you for your icy treatment of your only son and his wife. Praying for Jonathan and Suzy and especially their daughter.
https://www.youtube.com/live/J5yuuEDKEag?si=54Hr5AJVBDnyUjzu
Joni and Jimmy are “right” from a purely “business point of view” – whoever is “in power” has a right to fire anyone they want to. We all have experience having to “walk on eggshells” around the people who could fire us. What “is done in business” is those the leaders don’t want have a case built against them which is used “for cause”. Joni manipulated Jonathan and Suzy so their “uneasiness about Joni in bed with Doug” would become the case against them used to fire them. God knows the future. It’s pride for Jimmy to announce that DayStar will go forward with Joni and Doug. We’ll see. Amazing for Joni to put all of DayStar in jeopardy by her highly questionable marriage. Joni is NOT a servant leader.
Too bad neither Jonathan or Suzi’s brought up the sexual filth that comes out of Doug’s mouth on camera. Not sure where all that is in scripture. Christian..not so much. Jimmy isn’t an angel either regarding women. That was apparent when he told Jonathan to get her (Suzy) under control. A husband and wife should come together in agreement.
I would like to see also where abandonment is grounds for divorce. Then remarriage. Just want to know. Jimmy struggled back in March 2023 to really sell it. There is so much wrong with this whole mess.
Paul mentions that if a person becomes a Christian, and the non-Christian spouse decides to leave, the Christian is free to remarry. Otherwise, the only other allowance for divorce is if one is the victim of an adulterous spouse, that person can Biblically end the marriage and remarry.
I’ve been listening to the full audio of the Daystar meeting. I’m very disturbed by what I’m hearing. This reminds me of Germany in the 1930’s and 40’s. No one in Germany was allowed to speak out against Adolph Hitler and the Nazis. Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Confessing Church spoke out and it cost them their lives. God is revealing the truth. I’m praying for Jonathan and Suzy
Unfortunately, since Daystar is technically organized as a “church”, under the ecclesiastical doctrine, courts cannot hear disputes solely based on church matters. So, all Jonathan and Suzy can do is hope that either Joni comes to her senses, or live with a permanently divided family.
Spiritual abuse and abuse of power of the previous generation’s leadership is being exposed and this will challenge many older leaders because they have participated in this way many times and for a long time. This “covering” teaching needs to get untangled. Jimmy Evans sounds like every other megachurch leader and its ugly, prideful, and narcissitsic. Be aware…this stuff happens all the time! People who work in ministry are often under this type of bondage, but they love the Lord and now provide for their families under this heavy handed control. They feel stuck!
Hmmm… this is interesting. Jimmy Evans leads a marriage “ministry.” Here is his teaching on wives’ submission in marriage: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/marriagetoday/2018/12/what-submission-in-marriage-really-means/.
In his world submission = “you say jump, I say how high.” In marriage, in the workplace, anywhere. It’s as if submission is the highest ideal. Not Christlikeness, not mutual respect, not seeking the will of God.
That leads to very dangerous outcomes. That’s the root of oppression.
Submission is the pitchfork in the hands of the evangelical pastor. (I do apologize to those evangelical pastors who are not actually power hungry)
Hi Jayla. No doubt about it, as you said, many who work in ministry are under this kind of “bondage.” What people don’t realize is…they’d be much better off LEAVING that ministry and getting on with their lives. Yet, so many…don’t. Almost like Jonathan and Suzy here. They stay. Folks, it does NOT get better by staying. After a while, I have almost as much a problem with those who willingly stay under those ‘fear-mongering power hungry spiritual covering submit to your authority’ pastors. And those pastors come in both sexes.
I won’t be giving or watching anymore. The TRUTH I have seen and heard I won’t have any part with the Greatness Evil that Joni has done and Covered up! I’m done! Never again will I have part of what used to be a Great … should never have been a church. Joni SHOULD HAVE SAID WHO this person was for her to say Jonathan would trust is manipulative. I’m So DONE with all the things Joni has done/said.
I will pray for Jon and Suzy, that they keep their confidence in God the Holy Spirit. My heart is with them.
Wow! That was painful to listen to! I support you Johnathan and Suzy! You are a good watchman on the wall for all of your family!!! Unfortunately they still try to stone the messenger!
The Table Talk episode where Jimmy Evans gave reasons for the announcement about Doug marrying Joni, he said Lisa abandoned Doug. How? They worked in their sex therapy clinic together. Did she not give him enough physical love? Evans sanctioned the engagement on TV. They knew there would be questions. Lisa, Doug, Marcus and Joni had been FRIENDS for years. Evans referred again to “abandonment” in this 90 minute video. Someone pull up the records to see who filed as the Petitioner, and what was cause stated for divorce. Did Lisa commit adultery? Also reveal the predator who committed SA against Suzy’s daughter, it was a CRIME and should be brought to the light.
My question is did Doug’s wife leave him, stop having sex after counseling others on sex? I haven’t cared for Doug’s spirit since day 1. Could it be he found a convenient excuse to trade up?
In one of the first two articles, there is a summary of the divorce paperwork. Nothing is mentioned about the divorce being for any specific cause.
Thank you for releasing this audio tape. Joni and Jimmy are arrogant, manipulative, rude, confidence breakers, liars, misusers of the Holy Word of God, false accusers….from the beginning to the end of this recording. Stomach turning!
Joni can do damage control all she wants and maybe a small percentage will stand with her.
For the largest majority, her gig is up.
The pastor of “35 years” gave horrible advice. I have been in ministry for 45 years…and the idea that they should honor and obey their parents without qualification is horrible counsel and a complete misinterpretation of that command. And in my 45 years of ministry I have encountered spiritual abuse and manipulation like this. It’s horrible.
Jimmy really sounded like Joni’s Yes Man. Every time. Yes, uh huh, thats right.
Grotesque, sick abuse. Praying for precious, beautiful, humble Jonathan to have strength to endure until the Lord brings the full vindication, and until the justice comes for his little daughter. Jimmy Evans teaches women to be sex slaves to their husbands’ sick desires. Many years ago, when I heard him talking about how wives need to understand that their husbands need sex more often than they do – that was the last time I ever listened to him, and I sure prayed for his poor wife, what a nightmare it must be for her to have to be subject to such gross dishonor and filth. And, Jimmy Evans’ comment about there are no longer any watchmen. What a wicked lie. Thank God Jonathan and Suzy ARE watchmen, and I pray that heir courage in speaking up will save many other little lambs from being devoured by the same wolves. I am sincerely praying for Joni, though, also. Once the deception finally breaks off of her, she will be devastated by what she did to her son and granddaughter – she needs the mercy of Jesus to restore her to sanity and truth.
A servant of God need only appeal to love and truth and needs not appeal by title or position. Their title is “Servant” and their position is at the feet of those they serve. That is the sole model of leadership given to us by Jesus.
First off, Jimmy Evans and Joni Lamb were out of line by saying that Joni is the “Voice of God” to them, because she is not. She is their employer. And yes you are supposed to do what’s expected of you in your job description, but to “praise her husband,” who it’s clear they don’t like him for whatever reason. But to save her family relationship, she should have someone else read the viewer’s cards, or she could read it. That’s one solution. Joni and Jimmy are trying to “force” a relationship between her kids and Doug, instead of letting it happen naturally. Second marriages and blended families are hard, but to break up her family for something as ridiculous as not “liking” her husband is dangerous.
Jimmy Evans is so wrong in his assessment of this situation. I don’t care how long he’s been a marriage counselor. Jimmy should have told Joni when she asked if she was overreacting, he should have said give it more time because it’s not worth breaking up your relationship with your children. Sure you want everyone to get along, but you can’t “force” someone to like another person. It has nothing to do with the ministry, but it’s personal. It’s very obvious Joni loves her children and did not want to fire them, but Jimmy Evans made it “worse” with his “commando” style of counseling, either “submit or get fired.” Really? That’s not the only solution. And all the scriptures they used in order to get them to submit was very self serving. Disagreeing with someone is not being disrespectful. Sending prayers for this family.
This is a really good level-headed post. Thank you Dorothy.
As Joni read from the “nameless” Pastor, these words at 08:45 sounded all too familiar:
“Correction for those in authority is God’s job, not ours. If we try to correct them we are being God.”
Folks, that is almost a direct quote from Watchman Nee’s book Spiritual Authority – the favorite playbook for wicked shepherds!
Here is a portion from Spiritual Authority page 69:
“People will perhaps argue, “What if the authority is wrong?” The
answer is, If God dares to entrust His authority to men, then we can
dare to obey. Whether the one in authority is right or wrong does not
concern us, since he has to be responsible directly to God. The
obedient needs only to obey; the Lord will not hold us responsible
for any mistaken obedience, rather will He hold the delegated
authority responsible for his erroneous act. Insubordination,
however, is rebellion, and for this the one under authority must
answer to God.”
Link to Book: https://www.thechurchincupertino.net/Watchman_Nee/Books/Spiritual%20Authority.pdf
For those who don’t know this, in 1948 – the same year that the above book was published – an unrepentant Watchman Nee was miraculously “restored to ministry” after being excommunicated for 6 years due to sexual misconduct. And who do we have to thank for Nee’s miraculous restoration and squeaky clean reputation? Witness Lee and his publishing arm, Living Stream Ministry Inc.
They won’t even let Jonathan or Suzi speak. They are SO controlling and manipulative – and it’s CRAZY that she’s saying “all I need to hear from you is that you’ll SUBMIT to me” from a motherr to a grown son! They keep putting words in Suzi and Jonathans mouth and they are bullying them and this is their family. They are grieving about their dad – so how DARE they ask them to read a comment. And how DARE they demand that they read something they dont feel comfortable with. This is a real life example of narcissistic abuse and saying they are rebelling and the curses on them and Joni can’t even give examples when asked and this is SO repulsive and disgusting! I AM SO HAPPY God is stopping this crap from big ministries in the body of Christ. I AM SO HAPPY this conversation is now public. I’ve been in meetings like this being in the place of S & J. There is so much gaslighting in this it’s disgusting. I’m praying for you S&J – I get it being on your side. I can’t imagine though having to choose between your mother and wife – and your career and family business. I’m disgusted and God is disgusted and why that’s out in the light. THANK YOU for your braveness!!!!!
Perfect example of narcissitic abuse. Thank you Joni and whatever the other guys name is for an easy example to learn from. This is DISGUSTING! The gaslighting, the putting words in their mouth. You won’t even let S&J speak. SO thankful this was brought to the light. I’ve been on S&J’s side in my own spiritual abusive meetings. I’m so sorry S&J for what you are going through. STAY STRONG! YOU ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING! THANK YOU Roys Report for exposing this toxicity. Shame on Joni and whatever the other guys name is – bullying them into a corner over a VERY personal situation and a grieving son. One more example of leaders not wanting to be held accountable, and using power to get their own way. TRUTH will always be brought to the LIGHT!
(1)
Whewwwwwww.
Off the cuff here in no particular order. We have a very small glimpse of several years of drama…so don’t fool yourself into thinking you or I have a clear picture of this. WE DO NOT!!
Evangelical sexy words like submit/submission, witchcraft, covering, prophetic, Godly, authority…for the love of pete, stop. They’re used as weapons and I HATE IT.
Joni and Jimmy not giving Jonathan 24 hrs – not cool. There wasn’t anything wrong with that request…yet there’s a part of me where I understand…the talking is over and they want a decision.
Jonathan has a headstrong Mom and a headstrong wife…hes in a meeting with a headstrong ‘ministry’ man…and I feel bad for him. He gets run over by the other 3 in the meeting. It’s clear he’s caught right in the middle of his own convictions, his love for his wife, his love for his Mom, his love for his Dad, his love for Daystar which is all he’s ever known, and what he believes is right by God.
Joni, as the boss, has every right to ask Jonathan and Suzy to abide by her Daystar wishes. She has every right to fire them from an employment perspective. I’m talking employment here. Nothing else.
Jonathan and Suzy also have every right to say NOPE, not gonna do it. Joni then has the right to say ok…shows over.
(cont’d…)
(2)…This is a family affair that shouldnt be in this public forum and I feel sick. You’ve got 3 people with hangups and very hurt feelings.
Jimmy Evans…it’s not a sin to disagree with you, so just because he disagrees with you, even vehemently, doesn’t mean he’s disrespecting you. You’re wrong on this one. You’re right about he can stay or he can go, understanding his Mom is the boss and what she says goes. (Whether I like Joni/Daystar or not)
***Now…when it comes to the granddaughter, this is a HUGE deal. My 2 cents is…they should have QUIT right then and there. I’m confused why that didn’t happen in 2021 when Joni and Marcus told J and S that they were wrong. I don’t understand why this didn’t happen.
This is a fight about DOUG. End of story. And frankly that part is NONE of our business.
Honest to goodness, this is so sad. I don’t trust in Evans or the Lambs or Daystar or any of this Conservative evangelical christianese speakeasy garbage. This is a family fight, not our fight, and it’s too bad.
I thought going into this I would think this was ‘spiritual abuse’ x 9. After the hour and 30 min, I’m not seeing overhwelming spiritual abuse…this is a fight about Mom’s new husband. Although the last part of the convo with Jonathan, alone, certainly feels like a prototypical evangelical power trip and I’ve been in meetings like that.
Overall, out of anyone, I come out of this with compassion for Jonathan.
I pray for peace and resolution for this family, and while I do it…Lord forgive me, a SINNER.
Prayers for Jonathan and Suzi. I admire their strength against evil. Jesus said, “There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. It’s a time of revealing. May God reveal the truth about their daughter’s situation, too. “What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.” Luke 12:2-3.
Tragic also that Joni embraced the words of false prophets like Shawn Bolz, and Chris Reed (who is also an admitted adulterer), as reinforcement to herself that marrying Doug Weiss was a great thing. I absolutely believe in true prophecy and all Biblical spiritual gifts, but Shawn and Chris are not true prophets, and their false words about this marriage were just one more tragic piece in this gruesome puzzle. God is greater, Jesus’ redemption is far stronger than all this destruction, He’s cleaning House, and I can’t wait to see the PURITY of the new breed of leadership that will arise out of these ashes.
Any “prophet” which goes against the plain teaching of Scripture, is a FALSE prophet. In the OT that was a death penalty offense.