Around Town: Brian Doerksen, Made for This, City Dream Centre: Back to School

Brian Doerksen, November 17, 1965 – July 21, 2026.

Brian Doerksen passed away in mid-summer (July 21, after having been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer), so this is not news.

But as I read the many reflections, comments and eulogies after his death I realized how positive an influence he has been, both locally and well beyond.

He is particularly known for some of his widely shared worship songs, of course – ‘Faithful One,’ ‘Refiner’s Fire,’ ‘ Purify My Heart’ and ‘Come, Now is the Time to Worship,’ for example.

But I will focus more on (just) a few of the personal responses regarding Brian’s broader influence, especially those of some well known local musicians and leaders.

Roy Salmond

“The majority of tributes I’ve read are regarding his musical and church contributions, but my remembrances of him are as a colleague and friend. . . .

“Henri Nouwen once wrote, ‘The spiritual life does not remove us from the world but leads us deeper into it.’

“This seems particularly apt for Brian, a sensitive, patient and thoughtful man, his faith and art leading us ‘deeper into it’ through his theologically rich and nuanced worship songs.

“As our actions and words are by-products of the life we live and the values we hold, so Brian’s music and work were a reflection of the integrity of his inner spiritual life, which will continue to echo on in houses of worship for years to come.”

Roy Salmond is a music producer / audio producer / podcast producer / engineer / composer / writer.

Carolyn Arends

“Just sitting here thinking about how often I’ve bumped into Brian Doerksen at the centre of something good. He’s been a relentless hub of community and creativity and family and friendship and love and faith for years and years and years. I’ve never met anyone who’s had an ungenerous interaction with him.”

Carolyn Arends is a musician/songwriter; she is also a writer, professor and Director of Education for Renovaré.

Kevin Boese

“He was a real mentor figure to me (he felt much older than the four to five year difference!) but I also had the privilege of becoming a friend when our years overlapped at the Abbotsford Vineyard church. I really appreciated and respected how he just wanted to be ‘Brian’ at church and serve there like everyone else. . . .

“I know I am just one of so many who Brian came alongside in similar ways. And of course, as we all know, his music had such a huge impact around the world.”

Kevin Boese is a musician, digital creator and truck driver.

Daniel Whitehead

“I wanted to echo what many are saying – Brian was the kindest of men, and his kindness and sincerity had a depth and weight to it that was disarming, infectious and powerful. His family, especially his dear Joyce, carry and imbue the same DNA. I feel so sad to think of them without Brian.”

Daniel Whitehead is CEO at Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries.

Brian’s death affected people all around the world. For example, writing in Britain’s Premier Christianity, Les Moir said:

Loyal to his worship team that were with him for over 30 years, he was continually investing and promoting others, fulfilling the Vineyard value of ‘freely you have received, and freely give’.

As Andy Park and later on, Paul Janz mentored Brian, Brian carried on this lineage with Brenton Brown, honing and shaping songs such as ‘Lord Reign in Me’ and ‘All Who Are Thirsty’. . . .

Brian was a teacher and mentor – especially in songwriting, and before his passing he managed to complete his songwriting course of over 20 hours of video content and it is one of the most extensive courses in the world on this subject.

And BBC Songs of Praise posted a video of ‘All through the storm, your love is the anchor’ the day after Brian’s death: “The Songs of Praise team send their heartfelt well wishes to the family of Brian Doerksen as we celebrate his incredible musical legacy.”

Born in Abbotsford November 17, 1965, Brian Doerksen grew up on a rose farm in a close-knit Mennonite Brethren community. He passed away peacefully in his sleep at 6:45 am on July 21, 2026, at his family home in Abbotsford, surrounded by those he loved most. He was 60 years old. He is survived by his wife, Joyce, and six children. Go here for the obituary.

An instagram post on behalf of the Doerksen family in August said Brian had been working on an album called Breathing, featuring songs with a focus on gently singing over people with anxiety and trouble sleeping. It will be released this fall.

As well, they “are still planning a memorial event based in Brian’s hometown of Abbotsford, and details will come as they take shape. We are also carefully exploring, with curiosity and established relationships, the idea of memorial concerts, both locally, provincially and in other areas of the world.”

Made for This: Prayer

Alpha Canada’s ‘Made for This’ prayer network will be holding a New School Year Prayer Gathering next Tuesday (September 15), 4 – 5 pm.

As a new school year begins, let’s unite across generations and across Canada to pray for high schools and the rising generation.

Together, we’ll hear stories of hope, hear prayer requests of youth, pray for students, educators and school communities, and ask God to move powerfully in the year ahead.

Whether you’re a student, parent, grandparent, pastor or church leader, you have a part to play.

Join us as we kick off the school year in prayer, believing that God is at work in Canada’s schools and that this generation was made for this.

Go here to register for the Zoom gathering.

Made for This is devoted to “A nation united in praying for the well-being of high school students across Canada, and for them to experience the goodness of God.”

They are asking churches and individuals to join them:

From the map [on the Alpha Canada site], choose at least two high schools – one in your community and one you feel prompted to pray for.

You will receive weekly prayer prompts to guide your prayer throughout the academic year (September to June). Each prompt focuses on a particular need our students and schools are facing, and invites you to come alongside in prayer.

Thus far, 320 churches are praying and 1,060 of the 5,000+ high schools across Canada are being prayed for consistently.

City Dream Centre: Back to School

Toward the end of each summer City Dream Centre hosts a Back to School event in Surrey “to help families who may be finding it challenging to provide all that their kids need for the new school year. The day includes snacks, free new and used clothing, a kids’ activity area, backpacks with school supply kits and lunch.”

Some 2,300 people came out August 15, and 1,400 backpacks filled with school supplies were given out.

City Dream Centre has experienced growing community support over the years, saying:

It takes a caring community to make our Back to School event truly special, and we are deeply grateful to OpenRoad, the City of Surrey and McKesson Canada’s Care & Share for helping make this year’s event such a huge success.

Back to School was also featured on Global News.

A few days later they also thanked London Drugs for donating 1,200 bags to make their Summer Hampers possible: “Every Wednesday, our team and incredible volunteers come together to pack food hampers for local families through our Summer Hamper Bag program.”

City Dream Centre is active on a number of fronts:

• Adopt a School Program
• Food Security Programs
• Education Program
• Sewing Program
• City Care Dental
• For the Love of Thrifting

Their September 8 newsletter revealed an important new development:

We have a new home, and we’d love for you to come and see it. This space marks an exciting new chapter for City Dream Centre, with room to grow our programs, deepen relationships and serve even more people in the community.

Join us for our September 24 Open House and Dedication. Tour the new space in central Surrey, meet our team and hear about the vision for what’s ahead.

More to come.

Events are listed below, but there is also an Events page and a Jobs page on the Church for Vancouver site.