Brian Robert Doerksen (pronounced "durkson") is a Canadian Christian singer-songwriter and worship leader.
Early life
He was a member at a local Mennonite Brethren church and graduated from the Mennonite Educational Institute in 1983. In his early twenties, Brian found himself back home in British Columbia where 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 worship music. He was a featured worship leader on many Vineyard worship CDs and has also taught extensively on worship leading and song writing. Brian's worship recordings are known for their high production values and quality songwriting.
Notable songs written by Doerksen include: "Refiner's Fire" (1990), "Faithful One" (2002), "Hope of the Nations," (2003), "Light the Fire Again" (1994), "Today (As For Me and My House)" (2008) and "Come Now is the Time to Worship" (1998) which has been covered by a number of artists including the Oslo Gospel Choir and Phillips, Craig & Dean.
More recently Brian Doerksen has been producing worship music through Integrity's Hosanna Music, including his albums You Shine (2002), Today (2004), Live In Europe (2005), Holy God (2006) and It's Time (2008).
Brian Doerksen received a Gospel Music Association Dove Award in 2003, only the second Canadian to be so honoured. He has also won a string of Covenant Awards 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 for the album Holy God.
Doerksen's most recent project was to co-write a musical titled Prodigal God [1] with playwright and worship pastor Christopher Greco. The production will have its debut performance in February 2010 in Vancouver, before going on tour.
Ministry
Brian Doerksen serves 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 meets in Matsqui Village. Brian is a teaching and worship arts pastor and oversees the church's growing team of worship leaders.
Doerksen led Prairie Bible Institute's of School Worship Arts starting in September 2014.
Personal life
He married his high school sweetheart in 1984. The couple have six children, four daughters and two sons. His sons both have fragile X syndrome. The family resides in Abbotsford, British Columbia, 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)
Light the Fire Again (1994)
Father’s House (1994, review)
Winds of Worship 4 (1995)
Isn't He (1995, review)
Winds of Worship 5 (1996)
Faithful Father (1996)
Winds of Worship 8 (1997)
Come, Now is the Time (1998)
Father (1998)
Intimacy (1998)
Hungry (1999)
God is Love (2000)
Rise Up Europe (2000)
Believe (2000)
Change Me on the Inside (2001)
Come and Follow (2001, review)
Love Abbotsford Live (2001)
All I Need (2002)
Solo 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)
Grateful (2017)
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 & 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, "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, "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 Sarah 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
Gospel Music Association Dove Award
2003 International Award
GMA Canada Covenant Awards
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)
Juno Awards
2008 Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album Of The Year: "Holy God"
Praise Awards
2001 Best Worship Project: Hungry
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
Brian Doerksen's church website
Coggins, Jim (May 8, 2008). "(News) Connecting with the heart: An interview with Brian Doerksen". Canadian Christianity. Retrieved November 9, 2008.
Coggins, Jim (May 15, 2008). "(News) Songs of Lament: An interview with Brian Doerksen, Part II". Canadian Christianity. Retrieved November 9, 2008.
