‘Jesus Is Life’: An interview with the artists behind the Holy Project

The Holy Project is a group of Polish Catholic musicians who came together with one question in mind, “Is it possible to win the world for Jesus with one music video?” Together with The Holy Mary Team, an evangelical Catholic Foundation based in Warsaw, Poland, and featuring former X-Factor contestant Marta Ławska, they believe they’ve found the answer to this question with their new music video, Jesus Is Life.

The song was written by Marta, with music composed by producer Piotr Chomicki. The tune uses modern musical styles, geared especially toward young people, in attempt to establish a deeper relationship between the younger generation and Jesus. The Holy Project describes their effort as the desire to convey the joy of the Gospel, the meaning of faith, and give a clear message to the world that Jesus is life.

Aleteia was happy to interview the creative minds behind the project, Marta and Piotr, about their high quality production and what Jesus Is Life means to them:

Marta, you’ve spent some time singing musical theater. How does this pop style compare?

I’m still working in the theater. It is easy for me to combine it with the style of pop, because the musicals in which I took part contained music that were characteristic of the popular style. It was not difficult for me, although I also like challenges. Whether I was performing in a rock-opera or in a musical consisting of Polish hits, I was very happy about it!

What was your inspiration for singing “Jesus Is Life”?

My life was the greatest inspiration for me. Every day I try to live closer and closer to Jesus, give Him every moment. I am glad that it is me who has an opportunity to sing these beautiful words!

“Jesus Is Life” has the potential to inspire many thousands of people, but how has it inspired you?

I was inspired by Jesus and by friendship with Him. I love that God looked at me. His goodness and grace inspire me every day. I cannot imagine life without His presence.

Piotr, you work for the Holy Mary Team in order to inspire others, but how has it inspired you?

That’s right. My work is to inspire others to know Lord Jesus. However, the inspiration itself must have a specific shape, image and message. My work in the Holy Mary Team is above all a prayer, production work, evangelization, and full dedication to Mary and God in all our evangelizing activities and in all our experiences. I am inspired by the One who can be the only true inspiration. It is Jesus Christ. I would call it more than inspiration. It is love. The Lord inflames your heart and invites you to evangelize, to tell many people about the Gospel. Meeting with Jesus transforms life. Exactly the same as it happened in Cana of Galilee, when the Lord Jesus, at the request of Mary, changed water into wine. The same happens with our lives when we invite Jesus to be there for 100 percent.

How did you choose the setting for the video? Was it just a pretty city or does it hold deeper meaning to the project?

The concept of recording “Jesus Is Life” was created in January 2013, during my pilgrimage from Poland to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Word Kibeho in Rwanda, Africa. In 2017, after a few years of prayer, we created a recording with a music video. In this recording, we wanted to give the world joyful [message] that “Jesus is life.” We’ve managed to create a great recording and music video.

As for the script, we were looking for such an idea in which we could show people who live with the Lord Jesus every day, as well as places where we live, spend time, and rest. [These are the places] where Jesus is with us. In our case, the urban scenery was the best. In addition, I remember the statement of the bishops of the Fifth General Conference of Latin American and Caribbean Episcopates that evangelization “comes out” of metropolises and large cities. We just did it!

When evangelizing over the internet, it is sometimes hard to determine what has worked and what has not. What would you like to see in order to consider this project a success?

It is true that when we undertake evangelism, it is difficult to determine what worked and what did not. Of course, after the number of views, you can see if the material is very popular or not. In our case, before we create evangelistic production, we pray for it earlier for 2-4 years. Then we [can be] sure that every project is from God.

It is difficult to say what is successful in evangelization. Certainly, a massive number of conversions would be the best! However, in this matter, it is Jesus who decides! In the economy of God, it looks completely different than in our human assessment. Of course, a large number of video views on YouTube or on Facebook is a success. The amount of good “God’s” opinions and comments is also important. In what we do, the will of God is the most important. It is God who decides what fruit each of our projects will bring.

Only 110,000 people watched the music video Jesus Is Life, so we can say that we have not achieved great success. However, the Lord Jesus made such a fruit from this project that it would be harder for a better one! In connection with the implementation of the Jesus Is Life project, a new Catholic internet project was created that will support and activate many Catholic evangelization initiatives and Catholic events in Poland! Praise the Lord!

Thank you and bless you.
Jesus is life!