Daystar’s origins go back to 1967 when Dr. Donald K. Smith, an American missionary, and S.E.M. Pheko, an African educator, founded Daystar Communications to evaluate various media used in communicating the message of Christ; to analyze the target audience of such messages; and, to design and develop more effective communication strategies for reaching such audiences.

In 1971 Daystar began short-term training programs to assist church leaders in developing cross-cultural communication strategies. In 1976, Daystar added a two-year diploma program; in 1978, a Master of Arts degree (in cooperation with Wheaton College); and in 1984, a Bachelor of Arts degree (in cooperation with Messiah College).

In 1994 the government of Kenya awarded Daystar a charter to grant its own, internationally recognized degrees. Daystar still maintains close ties with Messiah and Wheaton Colleges who played a major role in establishing and maintaining its high academic standards.

The student body of Daystar is growing as new programs and courses are added. Over the past years more than 15,000 students, from more than 50 different countries and numerous denominations, have participated in Daystar’s programs.

Today there are thousands of Daystar graduates dispersed throughout Africa who are providing leadership in churches, ministry organizations and in every aspect of African society.

Tomorrow there will be tens of thousands.