Brian Doerksen, the Canadian worship leader and songwriter whose songs shaped congregational singing in churches around the world for decades, died July 21 following a brief battle with stage 4 cancer. He was 60.
Doerksen died at 6:45 a.m. at his family home in Abbotsford, British Columbia, "peacefully in his sleep," surrounded by family, according to a statement posted to his social media page.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce, and six adult children. All six have Fragile X syndrome, one of the most common inherited causes of intellectual disability; two require full-time care.
Doerksen rose to prominence through the Vineyard Music Group, writing songs that became standards across denominational lines. "Come, Now Is the Time to Worship," "Refiner's Fire," "Faithful One" and "Your Love Is Amazing" have been sung at weddings, funerals, church services and conferences across generations.
His health had been declining since February, when severe pain confined him to bed. What initially appeared to be a prostate condition progressed to a stage 4 cancer diagnosis, with a mass found in his pelvis and spots on his liver, lungs and near his heart, according to a fundraising campaign organized by friends and family to help cover medical costs. He had been receiving care from a specialist team at a Vancouver hospital.
Despite his illness, those close to him say he remained focused on others. "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," his family wrote. "He was a beacon of light even in his final moments to his close family and friends, and loved well right to the end."
Vineyard Worship honored him in a statement Wednesday as "one of the fathers of Vineyard Worship," whose music gave language to the faith of countless believers.
"Those who knew him speak of a man marked by humility, kindness, generosity and deep faith," the organization said. "He was a worshipper before he was a songwriter, and his life reflected the One he so faithfully sang about."
Friends who organized fundraising support described Doerksen's decades-long purpose as singing "love over people, inspire hope, comfort the grieving, and bring peace amongst the chaos in a hurting world."
Vineyard Worship said his songs "will continue to lead people into God's presence for generations to come," and quoted Matthew 25:23 in tribute: "Well done, good and faithful servant."
