Honestly I don’ t have the words yet to describe the impact Brian Doerksenand his family have had on me. It feels like one of the constellations in the night sky has just suddenly disappeared. Brian and Joyce and all their amazing children have been a constant fixed point of navigation for my wife Jude and I in our journey with Jesus. Brian and his family took me in when I was a lonely immigrant kid and made me feel like a member of their own family. His confidence in me went so far beyond my own. He was literally the kindness of God to me.
Almost everything I’ ve learned about Jesus’ way of serving and leading I learned from you Brian. You guys changed me. I saw you and Joyce serve and love your own family with patience and kindness and gentleness and thoughtfulness. And then I watched you serve vineyard worship leaders and musicians in the same patient, kind, gentle, honest and loving way.
Jim & Sue Olson with Joyce and Brian Doerksen
I was very fortunate to meet Brian at the Brian and Phil Keaggy together, performed Christian Musician Summit in 2007. I was of Phil’ s song“ Let Everything Else Go.” It was on course familiar with his many wonderful worship Brian’ s bucket list, and a dream come true for songs and had spoken with him many times on him. I was thrilled to experience it in person and the phone as we discussed ordering guitars. to have helped facilitate it. He eventually ordered two guitars from me. The first one was in 1993 when he ordered a Cedar Like all of us, I was shocked and saddened to top SJ. A few years later he ordered a Spruce hear of his illness, and heartbroken to hear he top SJ to complement the Cedar. But it was passed. I will fondly remember him singing the not until the Summit that I was able to meet him words with Phil,“ I can’ t wait to see you, Jesus, in person and spend some time with Brian, his face to face”. wonderful wife Joyce, and two of their children as we explored the sights in Seattle, including I find comfort in knowing that Brian’ s songs the world’ s first Starbucks. will continue to touch lives forever and that he is now seeing his Lord and Savior Jesus face I was invited by Bruce, Matt and Brian to attend to face. the Summit to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award for what they said was my contribution He had a gift and he excelled! He will be missed to Christian music via my instruments. Quite by all but never forgotten. Well done good and undeserved and humbling to say the least, but faithful servant! so thankful, as it was an honor!
Jim Olson / Olson Guitars
In a world where gentleness, patience and kindness are often silently considered disqualifications for leadership you showed us‘ a more excellent way’. You led with these qualities. You listened, you waited, you helped. I’ ve done my best to try and figure out how to follow your example but you set the bar real high.
Thank you for your many kindnesses to me- for answering so many of my questions! For introducing me to some of the best people I know. For coaxing songs out of me I didn’ t think were there. Thank you, Brian and Joyce, for welcoming me into your family and giving me a safe place to be, not just in England but on earth.
See you on the other side my friend. I know you are writing loads of new songs and your capacity for wonder must be at full taps. You better not be rewriting old songs up there. Ha!! Love you my friend.
Brenton Brown / Worship Songwriter / Leader
24 August 2026 Subscribe for Free...