Craig Aven is an ordinary guy with an extraordinary voice and songwriting ability. His ultimate passion is to write songs that encourage, lift up, and move others to experience a life of freedom found only in Jesus. Being a graduate of Teen Challenge Cincinnati, a discipleship program that helps men overcome life-controlling issues such as drugs and alcohol, Craig knows first hand the freedom that a relationship with Jesus brings. Knowing God is his passion, and it is reflected in the heartfelt lyrics of every song that pours out from his soul. He has lead worship in India, Belize, the Philippines, and has also spent summers in Mexico organizing praise and worship events for Back2Back Ministries. “It’s amazing how after shoveling cement all day and interacting with the kids in the children’s homes, hearts are more vulnerable and open to God,” he says. Craig has written with songwriters such as Tommy Walker, T.W. Hale, Buddy Mullins, (formerly from The Gaither Vocal Band) and has opened for Chris Tomlin, Natalie Grant, Cindy Morgan, Skillet, Russ Lee and others. He has performed with Newsong, and has appeared on TBN with artists such as CeCe Winans, Jonathan Butler, Martha Munizzi and Calvin Nowell. His most recent song "Great Physician, written with his wife Tess, has connected deeply with listeners across the country, as it calls a nation to return to Jesus Christ for healing and restoration. In 2007, Pure Springs Gospel released a project entitled CeCe Winans Presents Pure Worship, which included Craig’s performance of his song “Faithful.” His project Shelter, was released independently with Teen Challenge Cincinnati, and includes all original works written out of places of desperation seeking, and deep liberation. Every song on the CD comes with a written testimony of how it was birthed. His latest CD "Satisfied In You" is also full of stirring original works, was recorded in Nashville and released in 2013. Craig currently lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he serves as the Worship Pastor at Eastgate Community Church. He and his wife Tess have three beautiful children.