Canadian worship leader Brian Doerksen dies at 60

The global Christian community is mourning the death of Brian Doerksen, the influential Canadian worship leader and songwriter, who died at his home in Abbotsford, British Columbia, on July 21, 2026. He was 60 years old. His family announced that he passed away peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by loved ones, following a battle with stage 4 cancer.

Doerksen’s health struggles became public earlier this year. According to a family statement and a fundraising campaign, he had been facing serious medical issues since February 2026, when scans revealed a mass in his pelvis and spots on his liver, lungs, and near his heart. The diagnosis of advanced cancer was publicly confirmed only days before his death.

In a message posted to his official Facebook page, his family expressed gratitude for the worldwide support they received. The statement described Doerksen’s enduring spirit, noting that until the very end, he continued to love and encourage those around him and expressed deep gratitude to the medical professionals who cared for him. The family’s fundraising effort highlighted the financial strain of his illness and the ongoing care needs for his wife, Joyce, and their six adult...