The Christian music world is rallying around beloved worship leader Brian Doerksen after his family shared a heartbreaking update revealing that the award-winning songwriter's health has taken a devastating turn.
In an emotional statement released to supporters, the family revealed that Doerksen's kidneys have failed and that his condition is rapidly declining.
"As of this point, Brian's kidneys have failed, and he has been declining rapidly," the family wrote. "The medical team has done everything they can and has advised that the best we can do is make him feel as comfortable and loved as possible."
The family expressed profound gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff at St. Paul's Hospital for their tireless efforts to care for the Canadian worship pioneer.
"We are incredibly thankful for all the staff at St. Paul's for moving mountains to help our beloved Brian," they shared.
Despite the heartbreaking prognosis, the family continues to cherish every precious day.
"Please continue to pray for everyone involved, family and friends, during this time. Every day he's still with us, we are calling a gift. Every moment truly holy."
The update prompted an outpouring of prayers and messages of encouragement from believers, worship leaders, and musicians across the globe, many of whom grew up singing songs Doerksen penned over the past four decades.
Doerksen, who hails from Abbotsford, British Columbia, is widely regarded as one of the most influential worship songwriters of the modern church. Through his years with Vineyard Music and later Integrity Music, he helped shape contemporary congregational worship around the world.
His songs have become staples in churches across denominations, including the timeless classics "Come, Now Is the Time to Worship," "Refiner's Fire," "Faithful One," "Hope of the Nations," and "Light the Fire Again." Those anthems have been translated into numerous languages and recorded by artists ranging from Phillips, Craig & Dean to the Oslo Gospel Choir, touching millions of worshippers worldwide.
Beyond songwriting, Doerksen served for many years as a worship pastor, helped plant The Bridge church in Abbotsford, and later led Prairie Bible Institute's School of Worship Arts, mentoring a new generation of worship leaders.
Throughout his distinguished career, he received numerous accolades, including a 2003 Gospel Music Association Dove Award, a 2008 Juno Award for Holy God, multiple GMA Canada Covenant Awards, and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014 recognizing his extraordinary contribution to Christian music.
Away from the spotlight, Doerksen has often spoken openly about faith, family, and suffering. He and his wife, his high school sweetheart whom he married in 1984, raised six children together, including two sons with fragile X syndrome-experiences that deeply shaped both his ministry and songwriting.
The latest update comes after Doerksen previously revealed he was battling stage 4 cancer, prompting an international wave of prayer from churches and worship communities that have long considered his music part of their own spiritual journey.
As his family remains by his bedside, believers around the world continue to lift up the songwriter whose music has comforted countless people through seasons of grief, hope, and worship.
