Brian Robert Doerksen is a Canadian

Christian A Christian () is a person who follows or adheres to Christianity, a Monotheism, monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus in Christianity, Jesus Christ. Christians form the largest religious community in the wo ...

singer-songwriter and

worship leader Contemporary worship is a form of Christian worship that emerged within Western evangelical Protestantism in the 20th century. It was originally confined to the charismatic movement, but is now found in a wide range of churches, including many ...

from

Abbotsford, British Columbia Abbotsford is a city in British Columbia next to the Canada–United States border, Greater Vancouver, and the Fraser River. With a census population of 153,569 people (2021), it is the most populous municipality in the province outside metropol ...

Early life

Doerksen was a member at a local

Mennonite Brethren The Mennonite Brethren Church is an evangelical Mennonite Anabaptist movement with Wiktionary:congregation, congregations. History The conference was established among Plautdietsch language, Plautdietsch-speaking Russian Mennonites in 1860. Durin ...

church in

British Columbia British Columbia is the westernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Situated in the Pacific Northwest between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains, the province has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that ...

and graduated from the Mennonite Educational Institute in 1983. In his early twenties, he joined the staff of the Langley Vineyard Christian Fellowship and spent several years there as the worship pastor in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Musical career

For many years Doerksen was part of the Vineyard Churches as well as Vineyard Music Group. In that context he has been extremely influential in the area of

contemporary Christian Contemporary history, in English-language historiography, is a subset of modern history that describes the historical period from about 1945 to the present. In the social sciences, contemporary history is also continuous with, and related t ...

worship music Contemporary worship music (CWM), also known as praise and worship music, is a distinct genre of Christian music used in contemporary worship. It has evolved over the past 60 years and is stylistically similar to pop music. The songs are of ...

. He was a featured worship leader on many Vineyard worship CDs and has also taught extensively on worship leading and songwriting. Doerksen's worship recordings are known for their high production values and quality songwriting. Notable songs written by Doerksen include: "Refiner's Fire" (1990), "Light the Fire Again" (1994), "Come Now is the Time to Worship" (1998), "Faithful One" (2002), "Hope of the Nations," (2003), and "Today (As For Me and My House)" (2008). Some of these songs have been covered by a number of artists including the

Oslo Gospel Choir Oslo Gospel Choir is a Norwegian gospel choir based in Oslo, Norway, conducted by Tore W. Aas. The choir started up in 1988 and has since then become a successful gospel choir in Europe as well as America. As of 2024, they have released 33 albums ...

and Phillips, Craig & Dean. More recently, Doerksen has been producing worship music through Integrity's

Hosanna Music Integrity Music is part of the David C. Cook nonprofit group. Founded as a direct-to-consumer music club in 1987 as ''Integrity Music'', Integrity was at the forefront of contemporary worship music's widespread popularity of praise and worshi ...

, including his albums ''You Shine'' (2002), ''Today'' (2004), ''Live in Europe'' (2005), ''Holy God'' (2006) and ''It's Time'' (2008). Doerksen received a

Gospel Music Association The Gospel Music Association (GMA) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1964 for the purpose of supporting and promoting the development of all forms of gospel music. As of 2011, there are about 4,000 members worldwide. The GMA's membership c ...

Dove Award A Dove Award is an accolade by the Gospel Music Association (GMA) of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the Christian music industry. The awards ceremonies presented annually and have been held in Nashville, Tennessee exce ...

in 2003, only the second Canadian to be so honoured. He has also won a string of

Covenant Awards The Covenant Awards are awarded to the Canadian gospel music industry by GMA Canada, the Gospel Music Association of Canada. The association is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the growth and ministry of Christian music in Ca ...

during his career including four in 2005, among them: ''Artist of the Year'', ''Praise And Worship Album of the Year'' and ''Praise And Worship Song of the Year''. Three more Covenant Awards followed in 2006, and a further six in 2007. In 2008 he won a

Juno Award The Juno Awards (stylized as JUNOS), or simply known as the Junos, are awards presented by Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences to recognize outstanding achievements in Canada's mu ...

for the album '' Holy God''. Doerksen collaborated on a musical titled ''Prodigal God'' with playwright and worship pastor Christopher Greco. The production had its debut performance in February 2010 in Vancouver, before going on tour.

Ministry

Doerksen served as one of two co-pastors along with Dean Richmond, Janine Richmond, Irv Esau, and Karin Esau at an interdenominational church they started on Mother's Day 2006, called ''The Bridge'' in Abbotsford. This church met in Matsqui Village. Doerksen was a teaching and worship arts pastor and oversaw the church's growing team of worship leaders. Doerksen led

Prairie Bible Institute Prairie College is an interdenominational Christian College located in the town of Three Hills, Alberta, Canada. Founded as Prairie Bible Institute, classes began on October 9, 1922, on the property of the McElheran family farm. History A local ...

's School of Worship Arts starting in September 2014.

Personal life

Doerksen married his high school sweetheart in 1984. The couple have six children, four daughters and two sons. His sons both have

fragile X syndrome Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a genetic neurodevelopmental disorder. The average IQ in males with FXS is under 55, while affected females tend to be in the borderline to normal range, typically around 70–85. Physical features may include a lo ...

. The family resides in

, Canada.

Discography

Vineyard Music albums * ''Changed by Your Glory'' (1989) * ''Hear Our Cry'' (1990) * ''We Behold You'' (1990) * ''Your Kingdom Come'' (1990) * ''Jesus Alone'' (1991) * ''Save Us Oh God'' (1991) * ''Worship Festival Live'' (1992) * ''In Deiner Gegenwart Vol 1 & 2'' (1993) *''Winds of Worship 1 (1994)'' *''Winds of Worship 2 (1994)'' * ''Light the Fire Again'' (1994) * ''Father's House'' (1995, review) * ''Winds of Worship 4'' (1995) * ''Isn't He'' (1995, review) * ''Winds of Worship 5'' (1996) *''Winds of Worship 6 (1996)'' * ''Faithful Father'' (1996) * ''Winds of Worship 8'' (1997) * ''Come Now is the Time/Winds Of Worship 12'' (1998) * ''Father'' (1998) * ''Intimacy'' (1998) * ''

Hungry Hunger is a sensation that motivates the consumption of food. The sensation of hunger typically manifests after only a few hours without eating and is generally considered to be unpleasant. Satiety occurs between 5 and 20 minutes after eating. T ...

'' (1999) * ''God is Love'' (2000) * ''Rise Up Europe'' (2000) * ''Believe'' (2000) * ''Change Me on the Inside'' (2001) * ''Love Abbotsford Live'' (2001) * ''All I Need'' (2002) Kingsway Music albums * ''Come and Follow (with Andy Park)'' (2001, review) Love Abbotsford Association albums * ''Love Abbotsford''

ive Ive or IVE may refer to: Music * Ive (group), a South Korean girl group * I've Sound (aka "I've"), a Japanese musical group People * Ive (given name), a Croatian and Slovenian given name * Bert Ive (1875–1939), British-born Australian cinema ...

(2001) Integrity Music albums * ''You Shine'' (2002, reviews) * ''Today'' (2004, review) * ''Live in Europe'' (2005, review) * '' Holy God'' (2006, review) * ''It's Time'' (2008, review) * ''Level Ground'' (2010) Shining Rose/Indie solo albums * ''Grateful'' (2017) – nominated for a 2019 Juno Award * ''The Heart of Christmas'' (2019) * ''Hymns For Life'' (2021) EPs * ''Everlasting Arms'' (2020) Books * ''The Brian Doerksen Guitar Songbook'' (2004, includes a DVD) * ''Make Love, Make War: NOW is the Time to Worship'' (David C. Cook, 2009) Songs in other projects * '' WoW Worship (Blue)'', "Refiner's Fire" and "Come, Now Is The Time To Worship" (1999) * '' WoW Worship (Orange)'', "Light the Fire Again" (2000) * '' WoW Worship (Green)'', "Hallelujah (Your Love Is Amazing)"

Brenton Brown Brenton Gifford Brown Work ID No. 884337863 ISWC No. T9126089325 (born 1 July 1973) is a dual South African and American Christian musician and worship leader. Career Brown joined Vineyard Music (UK), serving as worship pastor at the Oxford Vi ...

& Brian Doerksen (2001) * iWorship, ''Double CD'', "Come, Now Is The Time To Worship", "You Shine", "Hallelujah (Your Love Is Amazing)" (Integrity, 2002) * ''Real Men Worship'', "Come Now Is The Time To Worship" (Integrity, 2003) * iWorship: ''Next'', "Refiner's Fire" (Integrity, 2004) * '' Sea to Sea: Filled With Your Glory'', "Today" (CMC, 2004) * '' WoW Worship (Red)'', "Hallelujah (Your Love Is Amazing)" (2004) * '' Sea to Sea: I See The Cross'', "I See the Cross" (CMC, 2005) * ''

27th Annual Covenant Hits Seventh is the ordinal form of the number seven. Seventh may refer to: * Seventh Amendment to the United States Constitution * A fraction (mathematics), , equal to one of seven equal parts Film and television *"The Seventh", a second-season ep ...

'', "Today" (CMC, 2006) * Canadian Bible Society centennial CD: ''Good News Celebration'', "Fortress 144" (CMC, 2006) * ''Maximum Worship – Canada's Top 25 Worship Songs'', "Come, Now Is The Time To Worship" (Hosanna, 2006) * '' Sea to Sea: For Endless Days'', "When You Shepherd Me" (CMC, 2006) * ''YourMusicZone.com #1s'', "Holy God" (CMC, 2007) * ''

28th Annual Covenant Hits Eighth is ordinal form of the number eight. Eighth may refer to: * One eighth, , a fraction, one of eight equal parts of a whole * Eighth note (quaver), a musical note played for half the value of a quarter note (crotchet) * Octave, an interval b ...

'', "When You Shepherd Me" (CMC, 2007) * iWorship: ''24:7'', "Holy God" (2007) * ''Maximum Worship Blue – Canada's Top 25 Worship Songs'', "Holy God", "Faithful One" and "Refiner's Fire" (Hosanna, 2007) * ''Sea to Sea: The Voice of Creation'', "Holy God" (CMC, 2007) * Celtic Worship Live From Ireland: ''Hope of the Nations'', "Hallelujah (Your Love Is Amazing)", "You Surround Me", "You Shine", "Faithful One" with Kathryn Scott, "It Is Well" (Integrity, 2007) * ''Worship '09'', "Holy God" (Promise Keepers Canada / Integrity, 2008) * '' GMA Canada presents 30th Anniversary Collection'', "Today (As For Me and My House)" (CMC, 2008) * ''Maximum Worship Christmas'', "You Shine" (Hosanna, 2008) * '' Find Me/Blessed Are the Lost Ones'', "You Alone" (2009) Video * ''Today'' (2004, review) * ''Level Ground'' (2010)

Awards and recognition

* 2003 International Award

GMA Canada The Gospel Music Association of Canada or GMA Canada (formerly known as the CGMA) is a not for profit association, founded in 1974, whose purpose is to promote Christian music in Canada. History GMA Canada is created in 1974 in Ontario with ...

* 2005 Male Vocalist of the Year * 2005 Praise And Worship Album of the Year: ''Today'' * 2005 Special Events/Compilation of the Year: '' Sea to Sea: Filled With Your Glory'' * 2005 Praise And Worship Song of the Year: "Today" (written with Sandra Gage) * 2006 Male Vocalist of the Year * 2006 Artist of the Year * 2006 Inspirational Song of the Year: "When You Shepherd Me" * 2007 Artist of the Year * 2007 Male Vocalist of the Year * 2007 Album of the Year: ''Holy God'' * 2007 Praise and Worship Album of the Year: ''Holy God'' * 2007 Song of the Year: "Holy God" * 2007 Praise And Worship Song of the Year: "Holy God" * 2009 Praise And Worship Song of the Year: "It's Time For The Reign Of God" (written with Steve Mitchinson) * 2011 Four awards, including: Special Events/Compilation of the Year: ''Prodigal God'', Praise And Worship Album of the Year: ''Level Ground'', Music DVD of the Year: ''Level Ground: The Live Experience'', and Praise And Worship Song of the Year: "Welcome To The Level Ground" (written with

Paul Baloche Paul Joseph Baloche Work ID No. 884337863 ISWC No. T9126089325 ( ; born on June 4, 1962) is an American Christian music artist, worship leader, and singer-songwriter. A native of Maple Shade Township, New Jersey,Price, Deborah Evans. "Higher Grou ...

) * 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award * 2019 Inspirational Album of the Year: "Grateful"

Juno Awards The Juno Awards (stylized as JUNOS), or simply known as the Junos, are awards presented by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences to recognize outstanding achievements in Canada's music industry. The Grammy Awards are the United S ...

* 2008 Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year: "Holy God" Praise Awards * 2001 Best Worship Project:

Shai Awards (formerly The Vibe Awards) * 2004 nominee, Artist of the Year * 2004 nominee, Male Soloist of the Year * 2005 Male Soloist of the Year * 2005 Worship Album of the Year: ''Today''

References

External links

*
Official Brian Doerksen website
* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Doerksen, Brian Canadian performers of Christian music Canadian male songwriters Canadian male singer-songwriters Canadian singer-songwriters Canadian Mennonites Mennonite musicians Juno Award for Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year winners People from Abbotsford, British Columbia Performers of contemporary worship music Promise Keepers Living people 1965 births Association of Vineyard Churches Singers from British Columbia