Tajci promises a moving musical experience when she presents her Lenten concert, “I Thirst — The Crucifixion Story,” in a Downers Grove church this weekend.

The artist, who left a war-torn Croatia and a glamorous career as pop superstar in central Europe to begin a new life in the United States, describes the concert.

“It’s a narrative piece with an amazing sound-scape of music, bookmarked by my own experiences,” said Tajci, whose name is pronounced Tai-Chee. “I was brought up in an atheistic, communist society (the former Yugoslavia). But I really was inspired to my core to learn the story of the man who was the son of God, who walked the Earth healing and reaching out to the most outcast people. And for his work, he was crucified and he had nothing when he died. That was such a contrast to what I was living in a career where I was on top of the world — all the glamor and everything that comes with that kind of lifestyle.

“Yet, I was watching as people were dying around me during the war,” she said. “All of that did not make sense in my head, heart and soul. What is my wealth, fame and influence if I can’t help, can’t offer anything but a few minutes of entertainment?”

She said she realized the answer lay not in material wealth, but in helping others to heal and to hope, to trust in a loving Creator.

“I had my conversion when I was 21; I have found my peace and my hope and my joy in God,” said Tajci (Tatiana Cameron), who lives in Cincinnati, and goes on performance tours with her husband and children across the United States and abroad.

Church member Donna Golly helped arrange her appearance at 7 p.m. Friday, March 13, in St. Mary of Gostyn Catholic Church, having heard the artist at other venues and on television.

“There will be fellowship; cake and coffee will be served,” Golly said about the reception after the performance, where audience members can meet Tajci, who will autograph copies of her music.

The church can seat 1,100 and advance reservations are not necessary. Everyone is welcome.

“Tajci’s three boys will be performing one of the songs at the end; it’s so cute,” she said of the youngsters who are Dante, 8, Evan, 6, and Blais, 3.

Also joining her on stage will be her sister, Sanya Mateyas, who plays flute and sings tight harmonies with Tajci. Fans of the movie “Holes” may recognize her.

Tajci, who plays keyboard, will be accompanied by electronic instrumentalist Denny Bouchard of Los Angeles, whom Golly calls “phenomenal.”

To create the program, Tajci and Bouchard adapted and arranged a wide array of styles, traditions and ethnic music, featuring contemporary Christian favorites such as “Via Dolorosa,” Tajci’s original songs, Hebrew and Gregorian chants and hymns such as “Were You There?” and “O Sacred Head Surrounded.”

“What brings it all together is the story behind it,” Tajci explained. “It’s not a usual concert. It’s really a very theatrical piece based on my true story and Scriptures.”

She calls it “a musical piece that will inspire” people of any denomination, believer and nonbeliever, alike.

If you go

What: Former European pop star Tajci, now a noted singer-songwriter in Christian music circles, will perform “I Thirst — The Crucifixion Story.” A reception follows.

When: 7 p.m. Friday, March 13.

Where: St. Mary of Gostyn Catholic Church, 445 Prairie Ave., Downers Grove.

Info: A free-will donation will be requested after the performance. No reservations are required. For information, call the church at (630) 969-1063. For more on the artist, visit http://idobelieve.com/home.shtml.