Remembering Brian Doerksen, Part One: His Story

This is one of two episodes we're releasing today to celebrate the life of our friend Brian Doerksen, who passed away peacefully at his home this week, surrounded by his family.

In this conversation, Brian shares his story in his own words: growing up in a Mennonite home in Abbotsford, British Columbia, finding his spiritual family in the Vineyard, and the night a shy bass player was called up to sing his secret song over five thousand people. He talks about intimacy over intensity, what makes a good worship leader, and the dream he was still carrying: helping others write songs that live on.

Brian wrote songs the church has sung for over thirty years, including Refiner's Fire, Faithful One, Come Now Is the Time to Worship, Hope of the Nations, and Today (As For Me and My House). The church will be singing them for many years to come.

The companion episode, A History of the Vineyard in Song, is also available in the feed.