Take Me to the River viral songwriter Alex Yurkiv lost in Sunshine Coast motorbike crash

A young Queensland musician whose song became an anthem of joy to millions around the world has been remembered in a moving service after his tragic death in a Bruce Highway crash. SPECIAL TRIBUTE

Alex Yurkiv collecting coconuts on a missions trip to Fiji where he loved to be able to share his music and his faith.

A teenage musician whose song became an anthem of joy to millions around the world has been remembered with tears from heaven on the Sunshine Coast.

Friends gathered in song and sorrow, marking the life and legacy of Alex Yurkiv, who was just about to turn 20, when he died in a motorcycle crash on the Bruce Highway on Thursday.

There were emotional scenes as friends remembered a young man with a love for people, an infectious smile, and a passion to share his Christian faith.

Speaking from New York, his older brother Dan, 22, said Alex was a “joyful and an amazing person”, who loved his music but “loved God more than anything”.

Alex had been about to return to New York next week to introduce his family to his girlfriend who he had met through Youth With a Mission on the Sunshine Coast.

Friends of singer, songwriter and missionary Alex Yurkiv, 19, hug at a service to celebrate his life and legacy.

Straight after leaving school, Alex’s father Andrew said his son made the decision to sell a car he loved to fund the trip to Australia to train to become a missionary with YWAM.

He travelled to Ukraine, Fiji and Morocco in North Africa where helped the poor, refugees, performed at kids' camps and helped with food distribution.

Friends of singer, songwriter and missionary Alex Yurkiv, 19, gathered on the Sunshine Coast on Saturday to remember his life.

A talented musician he released a song Take Me to the River (I Will Swim) which had been played more than 16 million times on Spotify alone.

YWAM Sunshine Coast director John Faull said Alex wrote the song with another YWAM staffer Thelma Costolo in about 30 minutes as part of a staff retreat.

Mr Yurkiv said his brother was thrilled his song had gone viral.

Alex Yurkiv: “When we think of him we will always remember him laughing with a guitar in his hands.” He is pictured at the border of Ukraine and Poland sharing his faith with Ukrainian refugees.

“He really loved music but for him it was never about the money or the fame,’’ Dan said.

Instead, he wanted to share his faith.

“He was an inspiration to everyone who met him and all who listened to his music. His smile was infectious, but even more so was his passion for spreading God’s love and joy.’’

Alex Yurkiv watching the sunset in Greece with his brothers Dan and Bogdan.

Mr Faull said Alex had been riding his Honda CBR 600 motorbike just after midnight with a group of young bikers he was getting to know when the accident happened.

He said the entire YWAM contingent on the Sunshine Coast had been devastated by Alex’s death but celebrated his life with a special service on Saturday morning.

Alex had been a “standout” leader who was “catalytic” with incredible vision and drive. He came up with idea after idea to share his faith and help others.

Friends of singer, songwriter and missionary Alex Yurkiv, 19, remember him at a celebration of his life.

Mr Yurkiv said his brother was a careful rider and he had been told speed was not a contributing factor in the crash.

“He loved us too much to do anything incredibly dangerous and hurt the ones he would leave behind.’’

YWAM missionaries created memorials in honour of Alex.

Alex loved to ride late at night and listen to worship music.

“He called it his God time. He liked the solitude and the quiet.’’

Alex was well known for his passion for his Christian faith.

“Though our hearts break when thinking of the fact that he’s gone, we are even more sad for the people that never met him.

“The people that never got to experience the joy that was spending time with him and listening to him play the guitar.

“He changed the lives of the millions that listened to his music.”

A family photo from the wedding of Dan Yurkiv, from left: Bogdan, Katerina, Dan, Anastasia, Evelyn, Andrew and Alex.

Mr Yurkivl, who himself served as a missionary in Ukraine, where he met his wife Anastacia, said the whole family would miss Alex, including his dad Andrew, mum Katerina, older brother Bojdan, 24, himself, and sister Evelyn, 18.

But the family said Alex would not want to be remembered for the way he died.

“He would want people to see the story of his life and be inspired. He fully pursued God in his life and did not allow anything to stop him from making his dreams into reality.

“When we think of him we will always remember him laughing with a guitar in his hands.”

A GoFundMe appeal has been set up to help the family cover funeral expenses. Any funds left after expenses will go towards funding other people to go on mission trips.