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 a generation to experience a life of freedom found only in Jesus Christ. 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. Worshipping 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. In 2005 he co-founded Mercy Street Ministries, with the call to train and equip artists to be worshippers. His most recent song, Great Physician, was written by he and his wife Tess to encourage presidential candidate Ben Carson and his wife, and leaders like them. The song went viral, and is resonating with millions as a prayer for revival, and speaks to what can happen when God’s people come back to him in prayer and repentance. It has since been recorded in Nashville with award winning producers Cody Norris, and Ed and Scott Cash, and Craig has been invited to sing at venues where Dr. Carson speaks. 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. “Without Faith”, a song birthed out of his desire to inspire and encourage the President, was performed for George W. and Laura Bush in front of 50,000 when he was only 22 years old. Craig has recorded five projects, working with such producers as Kent Humphrey, Christopher Harris, Linda McCrary, Derek Williams and others who have worked with top artists including Stevie Wonder, Michael McDonald, Whitney Houston, David Crowder, Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Israel Houghton, Delirious? and Steven Curtis Chapman. His most recent project, Satisfied In You, was recently released and includes all original works, written out of places of desperation and deep liberation. Craig and his wife Tess have three beautiful children. Liam 11, Rylin 9, and Hannah 2 years old. Together they serve in their local church, where he is the worship pastor.