Renowned Christian singer Brian Doerksen has died at age 60, just four days after publicly revealing that he had been diagnosed with advanced-stage cancer. His departure leaves a gap in world gospel music.
The artist, who was 60 years old, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Abbotsford, Canada. An official statement published on social media confirmed his death on July 21.
“Until the last moment, Brian continued to love the people around him, inspiring them to be authentic and expressing deep gratitude to the health professionals who tirelessly helped him”, detailed the note posted on Facebook.
The family had revealed, in a statement about his condition released on July 17, that they “had recently been informed that Brian had been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.”
The singer, known for the song “Purify My Heart”, had been facing several health problems since February.
Medical examinations revealed the presence of a “mass in the pelvis and spots in the liver, lungs and near the heart”, according to information published on an online fundraising platform.
Brian Doerksen is survived by his wife, Joyce, and six adult children. A notable detail is that all of his children have fragile X syndrome, a genetic condition that causes intellectual disability, according to information.
Throughout his career, Doerksen released more than 30 albums between 1989 and 2025, with emphasis on his most recent work, titled “Love For A Lifetime”.
Christian music record label Vineyard Worship, responsible for releasing 28 Doerksen albums between 1989 and 2002, expressed its deep sorrow for the inestimable loss.
“Brian was a father figure for worship on the Vineyard. With his songwriting, leadership, and fellowship, he was instrumental in shaping the style of worship both on the Vineyard and, more broadly, in the global Church,” said a statement posted on Facebook.
The label also mentioned songs such as “Come, Now Is the Time to Worship”, “Refiner’s Fire” and “Faithful One”, which were considered important ways for believers to connect with spirituality.
“We are grateful to God for Brian’s remarkable life and ministry, and for the legacy he left for the Church. His songs will continue to guide people into the divine presence for countless generations,” the note concluded.
