The Daystar Wall of Honor

“Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God.
Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.”
Hebrews 13:7

In 1964, U.S. Missionaries Dr. Donald and Mrs. Faye Smith with support from South African, Dr. S.E. Motsoko Pheko started Daystar as “Daystar Publications” in Zambia and Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. The Smiths later moved the ministry to Nairobi, Kenya as "Daystar Communications” which years later became “Daystar University.”

Daystar Founders, Dr. Donald and Faye Smith

Dr. Donald Smith and Faye Smith were sent as U.S. missionaries to South Africa in 1952 where they served as teachers and in Christian publishing with Our Africa magazine. The Rhodesian Christian Press invited the Smiths to be their Publishing Consultants during very difficult times in South Africa.

In 1967, as missionaries in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, together with Dr. S.E. Pheko they started “Daystar Publications”, the ministry that would eventually become Daystar. They later moved the ministry to Nairobi, Kenya as "Daystar Communications." A partnership with Living Bibles International led to the training of more than 40 Bible translation teams across Africa.

Years later “Daystar Communications” became "Daystar University College.” In 1982, all management was officially transferred from the Daystar U.S. Board under Dr. Smith’s leadership to the African Daystar Board under the leadership of the first Chairman, James Mageria. After 30 years away from Daystar, Dr. Donald and Faye Smith returned to live at the Daystar Athi River campus in 2012.

Dr. Smith’s classic communication textbook, Creating Understanding, is currently in use in several Christian seminaries and universities/colleges and as a training resource by churches and mission agencies.

“It all began about 2,000 years ago when Jesus showed by example the true foundation of leadership-throughout His life. Daystar claims that pattern in all of its operations, leaders who will make a difference in our churches, companies, and nations.”

“The new hope, new day, and guidance that we seek is derived from the Cross of Jesus, who is the Daystar. It is only when the full message of the Cross is realized and there is death to self that we can have fullness of life that God intends for Africa.”

'“This 1974 statement concisely summarized the beginnings of Daystar, ‘Bringing men to Christ and into His Church. To increase the effectiveness of Christian agencies in that task is Daystar’s ministry.’”

“Yes, we laid the foundation of Daystar, though imperfectly. There was only a passion to set free the African peoples to learn of Jesus, not just another culture’s ideas about Him. We sought to create opportunities for Africans to develop their own communications, churches, institutions and nations. The foundation was strong enough and large enough for others to build on it, and it is abundantly proven that the foundations were laid on The Rock.”

Dr. S.E. Motsoko Pheko, was a South African lawyer, author, historian, theologian, academic, Freedom Fighter (he never carried a weapon, just his voice and pen) and politician.

Dr. Pheko and Dr. Donald Smith founded a Christian literature publishing house which they called “Daystar Publications.” They wanted it to be more Afrocentric than mission-controlled. Dr. Pheko was locally in charge of operations of Daystar Publications while Dr. Smith traveled. Dr. Pheko came up with the name “Daystar”.

He recalled how he came up with it. “I read the Bible and, of course. I also grew up as a shepherd. Therefore, I knew that by day a shepherd has all the light he needs but at night he relies on the light of the stars. So the shepherd and his flock are really never in the dark and appear to be coming out of darkness.”

Later while in exile from South Africa, working in Geneva and New York, representing South African refugees, Dr. Pheko earned two doctorates, was admitted to practice law at Zambia's supreme court, among other accomplishments. He was asked to return and enter the South Africa Parliament by Mandela, where he served for 10 years. He has written over 30 books, half of which are clear Gospel proclamations.

“My political stand was motivated by the fact the Bible says man was made in the image of God. I could not therefore believe in “superior” and “inferior” races.”

“Daystar University is unique because it trains leaders to look not just after the material needs of a nation but also the spiritual needs.”

“Daystar can be a unique university if it aims to train the head, the hands and the heart and is guided by Christian principles in order to produce principled leaders for Africa.”

“Africa must derive its principles from the Bible and purify its culture through them. Africa cannot advance if it simply copies what others are doing. We must borrow only what is good from them and reinforces our own vision.”

“The battle is going to be increasingly fearful and fierce in Africa for the minds and souls of Africa. This battle will be won only by nations whose leaders are grounded on the Rock of Ages.”

Dr. Stephen Talitwala , was appointed the Executive Director of Daystar Communications in 1979 and was the first Vice-Chancellor of Daystar University, serving in this role until 2004.

Prof. Stephen Talitwala from Uganda earned a PhD in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Leeds in in 1971. The distinguished professor was appointed the Executive Director of Daystar Communication in 1979. In spite of his outstanding academic and professional credentials, Prof. Talitwala agreed to take up the position as the the Executive Director at Daystar without a salary. He had to raise funds to sustain the young institution first, and then get paid if funds were available. He was a living example of servant-leadership. As the first Vice Chancellor of Daystar University, he played a pivotal role in Daystar’s accreditation and the acquisition and development of the Athi River campus. He served as the first Vice-Chancellor until 2004, 25 years of faithful service to God at Daystar. His wife, Dr. Mutheu Talitwala, was a nurse and faculty member at Daystar University. Together they were blessed with three children.

“The question that should always be in our minds is, ‘Are we really training servant leaders or not? Be faithful to the vision to serve God.”

“Many of the students completing their Diploma at Daystar this year are looking to the United States to finish their B.A. degrees. A larger number of other Daystar alumni who were unable to go overseas are regularly inquiring about our plans to set up a B.A program here in Nairobi. Our meetings with church leaders from various African countries have convinced us that the B.A. program which we hope to start soon is not a luxury. Consider the fact that aspiring students would not have to spend large amounts of money to fly overseas, or even live and study on a foreign college campus; and think of how much better it would be for them to study nearer their families and within their own African continent. Lack of available educational institutes is also another factor to consider: there is only one Christian college with an accredited B.A. program in all of Africa. Many church leaders cannot get Christian education except by going overseas. May I appeal to you to join us in praying that God will touch the hearts of his people to help us build at Daystar a fully accredited college for Africa?”

“Pray for us that we will not lose sight of why Daystar was started— to help the churches communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ more effectively to our people in Africa. This is still our mission. Pray that the Lord will help us stay close to His plan for us.”

“The Afro-Asian Board had a big vision for Daystar. In January 1978, at one of its retreats, the Board resolved, with God’s help, to transform Daystar Communications into an evangelical Christian University to train servant leaders for the expansion of God’s kingdom in Africa. This big dream called for a larger campus, expanded facilities and many mature, deeply committed Christian staff who are experienced and academically qualified. There was also need for large funds which Daystar lacked since she had no rich parent organization. Like Jabez in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, the Board cried out to God saying: “Oh God, bless us and enlarge our territory.” They ventured out in faith and God worked miracles.”

Dr. James Mageria, the First Company Chair of Daystar University.

Dr. James Mageria and Dr. Stephen Talitwala

Dr. James Mageria, a retired police officer, Chief Executive of several corporations, entrepreneur, and a committed evangelical Christian founded the Kenya Police Christian Association and the Kenya Prison Fellowship. Dr. Mageria has served Kenya in many capacities as the Chairman of the Agricultural Society of Kenya and Freedom from Hunger and Founder Chairman of World Vision International in Kenya. After coming back from the U.S., Dr. Mageria became the President of World Vision Africa, overseeing 33 countries. Dr. Mageria was the Secretary to the Ufungamano Initiative, an interfaith coalition that played a major role in the formation of Kenya’s new constitution which was promulgated in 2010. Dr. Mageria is married to Mrs. Beatrice Kabui Mageria and together they are blessed with three children.

“I will live for Christ forever. I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back.”

“I never wanted anything for myself; this is because human beings can never get enough. If you are out to achieve for others, earthly things will follow.”

“When I met Don Smith, he told me that he wanted to start a Christian institution of higher education and asked if I could introduce him to local Christian leaders with whom he could share his vision. Don gave a presentation and we all bought into it.”

“We need an education that develops the intellectual, physical, spiritual, and social aspects of a person.”

“We were prompted by God to start Daystar in order to develop Christ-centered incorruptible leaders.”

Dr. Ray Hostetter, President of Messiah College, initiated the bachelor’s degree program at Daystar University.

Dr. Ray Hostetter and Dr. Stephen Talitwala

Dr. Stephen Talitwala with Dr. Ray Hostetter (left front) and the leadership team from Messiah College. — Dr. James Mageria, Chair of the Daystar Board, with Dr. Ray Hostetter (left front) and the leadership team from Messiah College.

Dr. Ray Hostetter earned his doctorate in higher education from Columbia University. He devoted 30 years of service as the President of Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania, where he ushered a small, denominational college into the ranks of a nationally recognized, academically prominent liberal arts institutions. He was founding board member of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and the Christian College Consortium. He initiated the partnership with Daystar University to offer the first bachelor’s degree program of an accredited Christian liberal arts institution in Africa beginning in 1984. By the early 1990s, Daystar was offering four majors which granted Messiah College degrees in: Bible; Communication; Business Administration; and Education. Mrs. Audrey Hostetter was his treasured wife of more than 65 years with two sons.

Messiah College board member Harold Engle said, “Dr. Hostetter’s dedication to Messiah was most evident in his dignity, integrity, and humility. He always acknowledged his accomplishments as a result of teamwork of board, administration, and faulty, and has given God the glory.”

“As a result of what Dr. Hostetter achieved over the course of his life anyone who has been near the development of Christian Higher Education would have to say that the accomplishments of Dr. and Mrs. Hostetter were unprecedented. But it is not just those in academia who see the legacy of Dr. Hostetter. In fact, his legacy lives on in the thousands of well-trained Christian young men and women who have gone out into the community and throughout the world to witness about Jesus Christ and to share their knowledge and abilities with tens of thousands of others.”

Dr. James Kamunge, First Chancellor of Daystar University and Council Chair.

Dr. James Kamunge, first Chancellor of Daystar University with Dr. Stephen Talitwala.

Ceremony (Sawatsky and Chase background)-2.jpeg

Dr. James Kamunge transformed education for the country of Kenya where he was appointed by the President of Kenya to chair many task forces and commissions including the famous Kamuge Commision of 1986. In 1988, James Mageria invited Dr. Kamunge to serve on the University Council as Council Chairman. This began a 13 year journey with Daystar University with Daystar University which climaxed with granting of the Charter to Daystar by the Government of Kenya in 1994. The Charter transformed Daystar from a university college offering graduate and undergraduate programs accredited by Wheat and Messiah colleges of the U.S.A, to a full-fledged university running its own academic programs.

“I have done many things, but getting Daystar University chartered as a Christian University was the greatest of them all.”

“I believe the vision and mission of Daystar should be retained and guarded all the time- past, present, and future.”

“This was my vision to start a Christian school and Daystar fulfills this vision.”

“We need to prayerfully and in action ensure Daystar maintains its strong Christian base.”

“Lecturers must impact the lives of students in and outside the classroom. We need teachers of academic and Christian excellence. We must recruit committed Christians only.”

“We need to be creative in serving the church. I would want to see Daystar grow to offer courses to thousands through distance education and satellite programs using the latest technology. Daystar can do it. I don’t see any other institution better placed than Daystar.”

Dr. Godfrey Nguru, Second Daystar Vice-Chancellor