July 23, 2026

Brian Doerksen: The Man Who Helped the Church Find It’s Voice

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For millions of Christians around the world, Brian Doerksen's songs have been woven into the fabric of their faith.

Whether it was Come, Now Is the Time to Worship, Refiner's Fire, Faithful One, or Hope of the Nations, Brian had a remarkable gift for writing songs that gave ordinary people words to express extraordinary truths. His music became part of Sunday mornings in churches across Canada and around the world, often without people ever knowing the quiet Canadian who wrote them.

On July 21, Brian went home to be with the Lord, surrounded by his family.

His passing marks the end of an earthly ministry that profoundly shaped modern worship—but his songs will continue to lead people into God's presence for generations to come.

More Than a Songwriter

As National Promotions Director for UCB Radio, I've had the privilege of meeting many artists over the years.

Brian was different.

There was never any sense that he needed to be the centre of attention. He was thoughtful, curious, deeply kind, and genuinely interested in people. The humility that came through in his songwriting was the same humility you encountered in conversation.

One of my favourite memories wasn't at a concert or a conference.

It was in April of 2024 when Brian flew across the country simply to experience the total solar eclipse.
Standing beside him that day, watching him quietly take in the wonder of God's creation, reminded me of something I'd heard in his songs for years. Brian never seemed to lose his sense of awe.

It wasn't about the spectacle.
It was about the Creator.

A Life That Pointed to Jesus

Brian's greatest legacy isn't that he wrote songs sung around the world. It's that those songs consistently pointed beyond themselves. Week after week, church after church, his music invited people to worship—not the songwriter, but the Saviour.

That's a rare gift. And perhaps an even rarer calling.

The Man Behind the Music

Behind every song was a husband, a father, a grandfather, and a friend.
As tributes have poured in over the past few days, one theme has emerged again and again. People aren't simply remembering Brian's music.

They're remembering Brian's kindness.

Even during his final days, his family shared that he continued encouraging those around him and expressing gratitude to the doctors and nurses caring for him. That's the kind of faith that can't be manufactured. It was the natural outworking of a life rooted in Christ.

Thank You, Brian

Looking back at the selfie we took together at UCB, I'm reminded how fortunate we were to have Brian as part of the Canadian Christian music community.

Canada has produced many gifted artists over the years, but few have left a global imprint like Brian Doerksen. Long before Canadian worship music gained international recognition, Brian was faithfully writing songs that crossed denominations, cultures, and continents.

His influence can't simply be measured by album sales or awards. It's measured in the countless congregations that continue to sing the truths he so beautifully put into words.

And while today we grieve his loss, we do not grieve without hope. Every time a church begins to sing, "Come, now is the time to worship," Brian's legacy will continue—not because the song is famous, but because it still points people to Jesus.

Thank you, Brian. Well done, good and faithful servant.

HisAir.net shared a heartfelt tribute to Brian Doerksen from John Connor earlier this week on their website.