Worship Leader Brian Doerksen Dies at 60 After Cancer Battle
Canadian worship leader and songwriter Brian Doerksen died on July 21, 2026, at age 60 after a battle with Stage 4 cancer. He wrote widely sung worship songs including 'Come, Now Is the Time to Worship' and 'Refiner's Fire.'
Brian Doerksen, the Canadian worship leader and songwriter behind some of the most widely sung contemporary Christian songs, died on July 21, 2026. He was 60 years old. Doerksen had been battling Stage 4 cancer and died peacefully in his sleep at his family home in Abbotsford, British Columbia, surrounded by his family.
Doerksen wrote worship anthems that spread across denominations and were translated into multiple languages. His most recognized songs include "Come, Now Is the Time to Worship," "Refiner's Fire (Purify My Heart)," "Faithful One," "Light the Fire Again," "Hope of the Nations," and "Today (As for Me and My House)."
He began his ministry career in the late 1980s as a worship pastor with the Vineyard Churches movement. In 2006, he co-founded The Bridge, an interdenominational church in Abbotsford. Starting in 2014, he led the School of Worship Arts at Prairie Bible Institute, mentoring emerging worship leaders.
Doerksen received numerous honors during his career, including a Gospel Music Association Dove Award in 2003, a Juno Award in 2008 for Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year for Holy God, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from GMA Canada in 2014.
His family said he remained encouraging and grateful toward his medical caregivers until his final moments. He is survived by his wife Joyce, his high school sweetheart whom he married in 1984, and their six children.
The gospel music community responded with an outpouring of tributes, with many artists and worship leaders sharing how his songs shaped their faith and ministry.
