Brian Doerksen

Brian Robert Doerksen (pronounced "durkson") is a Canadian Christian singer-songwriter and worship leader.

Brian Doerksen
Brian Doerksen
Background information
Born1965 (age 54–55)
OriginAbbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
GenresChristian, contemporary worship music
Occupation(s)Songwriter, singer
InstrumentsVocals, guitar
Years active1989 (1989)–present
LabelsIntegrity Music
Websitebriandoerksen.com

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), "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 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.[1]

Doerksen's most recent project was to co-write a musical titled Prodigal God with playwright and worship pastor Christopher Greco. The production will have its debut performance in February 2010 in Vancouver, before going on tour.[2]

Ministry

Brian 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. Brian was a teaching and worship arts pastor and oversaw the church's growing team of worship leaders.

Doerksen led Prairie Bible Institute's School of Worship Arts starting in September 2014.[3]

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.[4]

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[5])
  • Winds of Worship 4 (1995)
  • Isn't He (1995, review[6])
  • 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[7])
  • Love Abbotsford Live (2001)
  • All I Need (2002)

Solo albums

  • You Shine (2002, reviews[8][9])
  • Today (2004, review[10])
  • Live in Europe (2005, review[11])
  • Holy God (2006, review[12])
  • It's Time (2008, review[13])
  • Level Ground (2010)
  • Grateful (2017) – nominated for a 2019 Juno Award[14]
  • The Heart of Christmas (2019)

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[15])
  • Level Ground (2010)

Awards and recognition

Gospel Music Association Dove 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)[18]
  • 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

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
  1. Coggins, Jim (July 2008). "(News) Brian Doerksen: connecting with the heart of worship". Canadian Christianity. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  2. Coggins, Jim (September 2009). "(News) Prodigal God to hit the stage". Canadian Christianity. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  3. "Brian Doerksen to Lead School of Worship Arts at Prairie". Prairie.edu. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  4. "Brian Doerksen's official biography". Archived from the original on May 16, 2007. Retrieved May 19, 2007.
  5. Butler, Jayne (December 1, 1995). "(Review) Father's House". Cross Rhythms (30). Retrieved October 25, 2008.
  6. Cummings, Tony (December 1, 1995). "(Review) Isn't He: Acoustic Worship". Cross Rhythms (30). Retrieved October 25, 2008.
  7. Croft, Philip (July 4, 2001). "(Review) Brian Doerksen, Andy Park – Come And Follow". Cross Rhythms (64). Retrieved October 25, 2008.
  8. Breimeier, Russ. "(Review) You Shine". Christianity Today. Retrieved October 12, 2008.
  9. Kirk, Trevor (July 4, 2002). "(Review) You Shine". Cross Rhythms (70). Retrieved October 25, 2008.
  10. Breimeier, Russ. "(Review) Today". Christianity Today. Retrieved October 12, 2008.
  11. Farias, Andree. "(Review) Live in Europe". Christianity Today. Retrieved October 12, 2008.
  12. Farias, Andree. "(Review) Holy God". Christianity Today. Retrieved October 12, 2008.
  13. Farias, Andree. "(Review) It's Time". Christianity Today. Retrieved October 17, 2008.
  14. "Printer-Friendly Nominees & Winners". The JUNO Awards. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  15. Honeyman, Lins (December 1, 2004). "(Review) Today". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved November 9, 2008.
  16. GMA 2003 Special Award Archived December 1, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 23, 2008.
  17. Fleck, Peter (June 2003). "(News) Painful times helped produce award-winning music". Canadian Christianity. Archived from the original on July 12, 2003. Retrieved November 9, 2008.
  18. Brian Doerksen also received five other 2009 GMAC nominations, for: Artist of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year: It's Time, Praise And Worship Album of the Year: It's Time, and Praise and Worship Song of the Year: "You Alone" (written with David John Hensman and Travis Thuro). GMAC 2009 Covenant Award Nominees Archived January 21, 2007, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 25, 2009.
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