Clem Jackson spoke to renowned songwriter and worship leader BRIAN DOERKSEN about his new book and his new musical

Brian: I groan inwardly a little. I have many American friends whom I love . . . but if I were given the choice, I feel more at home in the UK or Europe than in the US (and I can see the US from my home - I only live a couple of miles from the border!). Canadian culture is like a bridge culture between UK and Europe and the US. We understand both (at least we like to think so!). But more than being a proud Canadian, I am clear that I am a son of the Kingdom of God - so my allegiance and identity does not come from a flag but from my Father.

Clem: In addition to writing your first book you've just finished writing a musical, Prodigal God. What's it about?

Brian: Prodigal God is the story of the prodigal son told through the eyes of the elder brother. Putting the word 'Prodigal' alongside 'God' has raised the eyebrows of a few Christian leaders. Did we write a musical about the God who went away and returned? Well no . . . one of the prime meanings of the word prodigal is 'wastefully extravagant'. We have not written a musical of heresy - though there may well be controversy over some of the creative choices we made . . . but then we would be in good company because Jesus stirred up stuff with the stories he told too!

My writing partner is Christopher Greco from Boston. We co-wrote the storyline inspired by Luke 15; I wrote over 20 new songs and Christopher wrote the dialogue. It's a full two and a half hour production and the plan is to premiere it during the 2010 Winter Olympics as a concert-musical in my home city of Vancouver. So that people can get a sense of what the musical will sound like, we are currently offering five of the songs for free at our website: www.prodigal-god.com.

Clem: You spent a period of time at South West Vineyard church in London in the '90s; have you any plans to visit UK in the near future?

Brian: I love visiting the UK - it's like my second home since living in New Malden for two and a half years in the late '90s. I was involved with 'Worship Central' last summer in London - but at this point, nothing is confirmed as most of my forward planning energy is on the musical - launching in February 2010 and then touring across Canada (though we hope to bring the musical to the UK and Europe as soon as we can!).

Clem: Many of your songs have become firm favourites around the world but which is the most special song to you?

Brian: That's a tough question to answer - because for most of us creative types it's the last song we wrote, because we meet with God in the creative process. I have a song that I co-wrote with Paul Baloche called "Welcome To The Place Of Level Ground" - I have sensed such life in this song and I think it's going to be a blessing to other churches when I get a chance to record it next January. It's the song that is most special to me now.

But of my known songs, "Faithful One" has to be one of the most special to me. Recently a Christian orchestra in the UK (The King's Chamber Orchestra) recorded it ('String Heaven II') and my wife sat me down in my favourite chair and put it on without telling me what it was. It was an incredible feeling to hear the melody that I wrote in a time of personal distress being interpreted by an orchestra. What a gift! And what a gift it is each time one of my songs touches someone else - it's always a miracle to me as all I am doing is personally pouring out my heart to my Father.