Joni Lamb, the co-founder and president of Daystar, passed away at the age of 65, with her funeral scheduled for May 18 at Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas. The choice of venue has drawn backlash, particularly from Joshua Simone of the Torn Curtain ministry, who criticized the decision due to the church's association with former pastor Robert Morris, recently released from jail after serving a sentence for child sex abuse. Simone questioned the appropriateness of holding the memorial service at a location linked to such a troubling past, suggesting the church needs a 'righteous reformation.'

Despite the criticism, some defended the choice, arguing that Gateway Church was likely selected for its capacity to accommodate a large number of attendees. Supporters pointed out that the church has a different pastor now and questioned whether the building itself should be judged for the actions of its former leader. Meanwhile, Gateway Church is working to move past the controversies surrounding Morris, having recently settled a multimillion-dollar legal dispute regarding his retirement package. This situation underscores the complexities of accountability and community dynamics within religious organizations.