Finding Sacred Purpose: An Interview with Efisio Cross
A conversation on beauty, brokenness, and composing with the Holy Spirit.
There are melodies that drift past us like the wind—beautiful, momentary, and gone. And then, there are others… that linger, echoing something eternal. The first time I listened to the music of Efisio Cross—known to many as Efisio—I was stopped in my tracks. Not simply by the beauty of the orchestration, but by the weight of it. There was something different. Something holy.
Art that honors Jesus doesn’t sit on the sidelines of culture—it sets the standard. And Efisio Cross’s music reflects that excellence so clearly.
Through sweeping strings and delicate piano lines, through silence that speaks and crescendos that ache, Efisio’s compositions do more than inspire—they bear witness. To grace. To suffering. To the love of Christ. To the soul’s cry for home.
And yet, his journey into music didn’t begin with a grand stage or a polished studio. It began, as many deep callings do, in the quiet ache of longing. At fifteen, not yet a believer, Efisio “saw music as a refuge from a world that felt absurd.”
I recently had the privilege of speaking with Efisio about his journey as a composer, how his relationship with Christ shapes his creative process, and the profound impact his music has had on listeners worldwide.
There's a delicate balance in creating art that speaks to both the human experience and spiritual truth. Few composers navigate this space with the authenticity and depth found in Efisio Cross's orchestral compositions. His albums—with titles like Rose of Sharon, Crown of Thorns, and By His Stripes We Are Healed—carry listeners through biblical narratives while exploring the depths of faith and human emotion.
I invite you play the following sample play list as you read the interview:
A Journey From Emptiness to Purpose
Dan: What first sparked your passion for composing music, and how did your faith shape that journey?
Efisio: "I think I was around 15-16, at that time, I wasn't a Christian yet. Being honest, I firstly thought of music as a way to find meaning and escape a world that appeared to me absurd. It was more of an existential need than a direct love for it. The love came after."
Dan: That's interesting - so your relationship with music evolved over time?
Efisio: "Yes, before knowing God, I tried my best to make music my absolute. But after a couple of years, it deeply failed. I started to feel more empty and depressed than ever before."
Dan: What happened in that moment of conversion that made you want to step away from music completely?
Efisio: "When Christ entered into my life, I was so changed and full that I did not care much about music anymore. Nevertheless, God —in His tenderness— called me back to it and this time, it was different! It naturally became a tool to present God to mankind. By doing this, I fell in love with music more than ever before!"
The Heart Behind the Melodies
Dan: How has your relationship with God evolved through the years as a composer?
Efisio: "When I started the composition journey, I decided to do it for God, doing my best to not be shy of sharing Him with everyone," Efisio says. "I think it's mainly a perpetual and gradual search on what is in His Heart, through prayer and reading The Scriptures. What does God love, what does God think? How about God's sadness? The Heart of God is the most intense, and most beautiful Heart a person can ever encounter. No one ever will be tired in contemplating it and loving it."
Dan: Is there a particular season where you felt especially close to God's heart while composing?
Efisio: “By His Grace, God keeps it constant. What varies, is found in the composition process itself. Some orchestrations can have various degrees of intensity. 'Samson's Final Triumph' was rather painful to make, as I had in front of my eyes Samson's tragic end, how he must have felt in his heart, being mocked and played by the Philistines. "Godly Woman I Desire You" was more relaxing to do, as it did not trigger the same kind of emotions.”
Dan: Has there ever been a moment when a piece of music felt like it was entirely given to you in prayer, almost as if you were simply receiving it rather than creating it?
Efisio: "Sometimes, I put my hands on the piano, and as soon as I feel that a music is arriving, I record the idea then stop, then go to pray. I kneel and ask God to compose through me. I ask Him, not only to compose the music, but to arrange it, which is choosing the right instruments."
"Sometimes, I put my hands on the piano, and as soon as I feel that a music is arriving, I record the idea then stop, then go to pray. I kneel and ask God to compose through me. I ask Him, not only to compose the music, but to arrange it, which is choosing the right instruments."
Dan: Many artists struggle with the technical aspects of production alongside the creative work. How do you maintain that spiritual connection while handling the more technical elements like mixing and mastering?
Efisio: "It's mostly prayer and work. When the composition stage is done, I pray again for God to mix the music through me. When this stage is finished, I ask Him to master the music, which is the final process before uploading it. I try to do this in every stage of the production process. Even if you know the technical aspects, all the development remains spiritual and emotional, nevertheless. You have to pour your entire heart in it. When I say work, I also mean, educating myself in learning each step of the making with the resources I can find at hand."
Dan: Do you ever sense spiritual resistance or warfare in the process of composing or releasing music?
Efisio: “Not necessarily within the process of making music, more in my everyday life.”
Dan: What role does worship play in your life beyond the music you compose?
Efisio: "A major one. It is important in the understanding process of God's perfection and grace — both from learning about Him through The Scriptures and personal experiences. The more one understands it, the more one can worship Him. It also happens in the very process of making music.
Dan: How do you keep your heart in a posture of worship in the midst of your creative work?
Efisio: “I don't want to deal with any ego inside of me nor resistance against God. It clears the space, and it's easier to keep the right posture. However, it's not me doing it. It's only Him!”
Dan: What Scriptures have been most foundational to your calling as a composer?
Efisio: "I think Luke 17:10 : "So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.” had a huge impact on me. The main goal, not only as a composer, but a follower of Christ, is to let the 'me' aside, as said just above. I love how Christ teaches us and helps us to not conceive any pride or selfishness doing works for Him. It really secures us, makes us free from ourselves. If you let the ego aside, you will be way more relax doing works for Him — everything will change. It does not "belongs" to you but to God, and it's His doing through you, not you! It indeed frees you. What is dangerous? To think we are something, or that we are special, or above the rest of the people. It leads to both the destruction and misery of our persons, and of the works of God. If we are full of ourselves, what room God can have to work? I'm not saying here, that you shouldn't be happy and rejoice of your work for God, of course you should do and never stop.”
Ministry Through Melody
Dan: In what ways do you see your music as a form of ministry?
Efisio: "At first, I never thought of music as a form of ministry," Efisio admits. "I think the main way was sharing what Christ did for us, Him and His Salvation. That was it! It's later that I thought of it, perhaps having a form of ministry."
His vision for his work is profoundly evangelistic: "My dream heart is for the people listening, to be saved by Him. Subsequently, I also try to share Biblical figures, or Events, that can teach us important moral lessons. Even if a person is not a believer, from a moral ground, we can also grasp Christ and think about Him. 'Le Courage de Ruth' is an example of this."
Dan: Can you share a story of someone impacted by your music?
Efisio: "Once, by God's Grace and Kindness, I received a message from someone who wanted to commit suicide, saying that the music retained him from doing it. It was surely not the music, but God in it, that operated. I also received words from non-believers, saying that they think of something higher. Those words are profoundly encouraging, because my music is for both believers and un-believers."
Dan: How do you protect your heart from pride or discouragement as the impact grows?
Efisio: Refering back to Luke 17:10, again, Efisio talks more about humality “In really knowing that these works does not belong to me. As if someones give you the key of a house that you did not buy nor build. You can clean it, take care of it, put efforts in it, rejoice in it, but that's it. It was a gift. You cannot say, look how great my house is. But instead, look how Kind is the giver of this house is. For me, I'm deeply grateful to be able to live in it and to take care of it!
Our rewards shouldn't be in our works. Of course The Bible teaches that God will reward His Creation. God sees the efforts done for Him. But our deep pleasure and joy should be in God only. Back in the Old Testament, in the book of Number, chapter 18 verse 20, I found extremely profound that God said to the tribe of Levi, that their reward was God. All the other tribes had earthly heritages and portions. Not the tribe of Levi. Can you imagine the intensity hidden from such a declaration? It's the same, if we want as reward God Himself, we won't get trapped in pride or discouragement from works, the dissociation work will make everything healthier. Of focus changed.”
For Those Called to Create
Dan: If someone feels called to use their creativity for God but struggles with confidence, what would you say to encourage them?
Efisio: "If God is with you, God has already planned that. He knows that we are weak. The lack of confidence we can have will eventually benefit to the ones that are confident in sharing evilness. If your heart is right with God, in the good posture, go! You perhaps realize that a tiny, little step of faith from you, can have a massive impact on one's life. God wants us to be brave, bold and courageous because He's with us. God also loves small beginnings. You can be sure that your step of faith will rejoice His Heart, don't delay it and have regrets after. The book of Zechariah, chapter 4 verses 10, is an example of this — also see the book of Matthew, chapter 25 verses 14 to 30. God wants us active with Him!
Albums as Spiritual Milestones
Dan: Your album titles—like "Rose of Sharon" and "Crown of Thorns"—are rich with spiritual meaning. How do those titles reflect your personal walk with Jesus?
"Each music is connected to a moment of my life where many aspects were triggered," Efisio explains. "Through the album 'Crown of Thorns' for instance, there are many love pieces such as 'Can I Keep You', 'Lettre à Élise', 'Embrasse moi à Saint Pétersbourg'. Even though those pieces don't have frontal Biblical messages, it's a crystallization of my state at that time."
"It's very important to me, to be transparent in the task of creation. In private, those moments are also connected to God through prayer. In 'Rose of Sharon', it was the very debut of the orchestral adventure. 'One with Jesus', 'Father I'm Coming To You' attempted to reflect my desire to put Him first."
Dan: Your album "By His Stripes We Are Healed" emerged from a particularly challenging season. What was the heart behind that project?
Efisio: "The heart behind the album is Divine Healing. It was born within one of the most painful moments of my life. It was also a very challenging and long album to make, it took me circa three years. I had profound trials in many spheres, and through the pain, God showed me that I needed to believe all The Scriptures. Thus, believing in all The Gifts of The Spirit, including the Gift of Healing. I always believed them, but, through the years, I wasn't thinking of them much. God saw that my heart, somehow, overlooked that domain. I thank Him for His Loving Discipline. I discovered through the creation of this album, many followers of Christ that consecrated their whole life praying and healing the sick. Smith Wigglesworth, John Lake, William Branham, A.A Allen, Oral Roberts, William Seymour etc. A music was born out of this "Azusa Street".
Dan: Is there a particular song from that album that still ministers to your heart personally?
Efisio: “It's a very good question! I tend to see this album as a whole regarding the message. But now that you mention it, "Laying Hands On Baldwin IV" sticks in a particular way. Baldwin was a leper king that was defending Jerusalem back in 1177. He won one of the biggest battles of those time called "The Battle of Montgisard" — at only 16 — with far fewer troops at his hands than Saladin. He died at 24 from his sickness. I have so many questions: Were Biblical Christians present around him who had Scriptures at hand? As the Catholic Church forbad the common people to read The Bible and have a Bible for their own, what kind of Biblical knowledge did the people had? Did they lay hands on him? What history would have been if Baldwin would have been miraculously healed? He incarnates so many things, so many questions. He embodied the very Christian duty of healing the sick!”
Dan: Your track “Moses Parts the Red Sea” speaks to purpose and divine timing. What personal experiences led you to that message?
Efisio: "I realized that each time I wanted to do it my own way, it failed. Causing more damages than good. Sometimes, you're in a hurry, believing that you can maybe 'make it happen' but it's your doing, not God. Abraham, waiting for his promised son, thought that it would work with another woman, as his wife Sarah, was sterile. The damages were very considerable after. Moses also, tried to deliver his people by killing an Egyptian, it was his doing, not God, causing more hurt than good. God showed me to relax and rest in Him, while persevering in prayer and reading the Word. 'Moses Parts The Red Sea' somehow reflects this personal journey."
Dan: You’ve said that you want your music to point people to Christ. Can you share another story of someone who was deeply impacted by one of your compositions?
Efisio: By God's Grace only, I would say my friends that works in the industry, and other coming from the Muslim world but again, it's only Christ that does that not me!
Dan: How do you stay spiritually grounded and connected to God in an industry that can often prioritize performance over purpose?
Efisio: "I try, by God's Grace, to read the Word and pray. To keep Him first, and to work the best I can to dissociate myself from the music God creates through me. I know that, if I let God do it, I won’t be attracted to this side of the industry—‘performance,’ as you mentioned it."
Looking Ahead
Dan: Looking ahead, what dreams has God placed on your heart for the next season of your life and ministry?
Efisio: "I only want people to get saved by Him, this is my foremost priority," Efisio responds with characteristic focus on eternal matters.
Dan: Do you sense God preparing you for any new expressions—like books, collaborations, or new themes in your music?
Efisio: “It's such a good question! To be honest, I have many things going in my mind all the time. It's hard to know where God hides behind the new projects.”
As our conversation draws to a close, I'm struck by the clarity of purpose that drives Efisio's work. In an industry often fixated on performance metrics and commercial success, his steadfast commitment to creating music that glorifies God and draws people to Christ is refreshing.
For those seeking orchestral compositions that stir the soul and point to deeper spiritual truths, Efisio Cross's music offers both artistic excellence and authentic faith. In every note and arrangement, his desire echoes loud and clear: that listeners would encounter not just beautiful music, but the beautiful Savior who inspires it.
To experience Efisio Cross's music, visit efisiocross.com
His albums, including Rose of Sharon, Crown of Thorns, and By His Stripes We Are Healed are available on all major streaming platforms.
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