Testimony of Rev. Craig Vosekalns
Winter 2024
Psalm 66:18 says, “Come all ye that fear God and I will declare what He hath done for my soul.”
Salvation has a wonderful story to tell. Rev. Craig Vosekalns was saved at the age of 23 in San Diego, California. Not having the advantage and blessing of growing up in a Christian home, Craig heard the gospel for the first time at the age of nineteen from a co-worker while working at a masonry supply company. Months later, the gospel seed continued to be watered in Craig’s heart while employed at International Iron. There he met and was greatly influenced by the ministry of Rev. Tomm Tice of the Free Presbyterian Church located in San Diego at that time.
phoenix
Craig was burdened by sin, guilt, and an ungodly lifestyle and at the steel company on December 20, 1991, he called on the Lord, confessed his sin and cried for salvation. Craig knew from that day forward that he was a new creature in Christ. But like so many, Craig struggled with the assurance of salvation for a time. After wrestling over the matter, he came to an understanding of justification by faith. Craig drew much comfort from Galatians 2:20. In that text, the apostle Paul highlights the testimony of all believers when he expressed, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
In 1993 Craig moved to Greenville, South Carolina to attend Bob Jones University, knowing there was a Free Presbyterian church in the vicinity that could provide support for his walk with God. Faith FPC quickly became his spiritual family and home. While attending the church Craig met Sharon Wolfe who was preparing to attend the University of Chapel Hill in North Carolina for her master’s degree in physical therapy.
Sensing the Lord’s call to the ministry, Craig trained for two years at the Whitefield College of the Bible in Northern Ireland. He later studied at Geneva Reformed Seminary and did his internship at the Free Presbyterian pioneer work in Mercer County, Illinois. Shortly after his return from Illinois, Craig and Sharon got married on September 20, 2003. Upon the request of Rev. David McClelland, the session of Grace FPC, New Hampshire asked Mr. Vosekalns to assist in various ministries of the church for one year.
In January 2004, the Vosekalns moved to New England and within that year the church issued a call to him. He gladly accepted as he believed it was the will of God. In November of the same year, Mr. Vosekalns was ordained and installed as the associate minister at Grace FPC, Litchfield, New Hampshire. He served the Lord there for several years, but began to have a burden to encourage the work in Phoenix. That burden eventually led him and his family to relocate to Arizona in 2009 where they began to attend Phoenix Free Presbyterian Church.
Since then, Rev. Vosekalns has served the church in numerous capacities, including pulpit supply, teaching Sunday school, outreach, and making sure the church has been cleaned for the weekly services. The Vosekalns family have also thoroughly enjoyed working with the young people at Phoenix FPC over the years.
On September 8 of this year, Rev. Vosekalns accepted the church’s call to be their minister. The installation service was conducted on Friday, November 8 and marked a new chapter in the life of Phoenix FPC as well as the life of the Vosekalns. They will deeply appreciate your prayers as they go forward in the work of God together.