Canadian Christian singer, songwriter and worship leader Brian Doerksen has died after a short battle with cancer at the age of 60.
Brian was one of the most influential worship songwriters in the world.
His songs have been sung in churches for decades.
Through his involvement with Vineyard Music and later as a recording artist, pastor, mentor and songwriter, Brian helped shape modern worship around the world.
THE SONGS THAT BRIAN DOERKSEN WROTE
What made Brian’s contribution unique was his ability to write simple, congregational songs that were both deeply Biblical and accessible.
His most enduring songs include Refiners Fire, Faithful One and Come, Now Is The Time To Worship.
Among his other well-known songs are Hope of the Nations, Hallelujah (Your Love Is Amazing), I Lift My Eyes Up (Psalm 121), Light the Fire Again, Today (As For Me and My House), The River, Creation Calls, Holy God, Your Faithfulness and You Shine.
While he received numerous honours during his lifetime, his greatest legacy is found in the millions of believers who have worshipped God through his songs.
OFFICIAL TRIBUTE TO BRIAN DOERKSEN
A statement on his social media said: “Till the very end, Brian continued to love those around him, encouraging them in who they are, and shared incredible gratitude to those in the medical field who tried their best to help him.”
“He was a beacon of light even in his final moments to his close family and friends.”
“May we all be like him, to love freely, be kind, and grateful even in the midst of the hardest of times.”
BRIAN IS SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE AND SIX CHILDREN
A GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to support Brian and his family after he became seriously ill, revealed that he and his wife, Joyce, are the parents of six adult children with Fragile X Syndrome, one of the most common inherited causes of intellectual disability and autism.
Two of those children require full-time care.
“His heart and purpose has been to sing love over people, inspire hope, comfort the grieving, and bring peace amongst the chaos in a hurting world,” the campaign organisers wrote.
TRIBUTE FROM VINEYARD WORSHIP
Vineyard Worship thanked God for his “extraordinary life and ministry, and for the lasting gift he has given to the Church.”
“It is with deep sadness, and with profound gratitude to God, that we honour the life of Brian Doerksen.”
“Generations of us have encountered God through songs like ‘Come, Now Is the Time to Worship,’ ‘Refiner’s Fire,’ ‘Faithful One,’ ‘Your Love Is Amazing,’ and so many more.”
“These songs have been sung in countless churches, at weddings and funerals, in conferences and living rooms, in moments of celebration and seasons of suffering.”
“They have given language to our hearts and pointed us, time and again, to intimacy with Jesus.”
BRIAN IS REMEMBERED FOR HIS HUMILITY, KINDNESS, GENEROSITY AND DEEP FAITH
“Those who knew him speak of a man marked by humility, kindness, generosity and deep faith,” Vineyard Worship continued.
“He was a worshipper before he was a songwriter, and his life reflected the One he so faithfully sang about,” the group stated.
Tributes have poured in from worship leaders around the world with many thanking Brian for writing songs that helped shape their worship and deepen their faith.
TRIBUTES FROM PROMINENT CHRISTIAN SONGWRITERS
Australian worship leader Darlene Zschech described Brian as “a hero of the faith.”
Australian songwriter Ben Fielding, co-writer of What a Beautiful Name, thanked Brian for “all of the songs, the ministry and example,” also calling him “a hero and an inspiration.”
Matt Redman admitted he was “deeply gutted” by the news, revealing that Faithful One remains his all-time favorite worship song.
“He was always such an encouragement to me personally. Brian, you’ll be deeply missed, but your legacy runs long.”
The tributes paint a consistent picture:
Brian Doerksen’s greatest legacy is not simply the songs he wrote, but the countless lives he helped lead into worship through a life faithfully devoted to Christ.
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