The Eleventh Annual Gospel Singing is set for Friday at 460 Holland Road in Buckingham County near Sheppards from 5-9 p.m. and will include gospel singers Smokey Wilson and Mark Bishop.

The event is organized by Becky Powell and Linda Troyer, who hold the event at their home.

Powell said they usually have about 350 people at the free event where they cook chili, soup and have ham biscuits available.

“It’s just a blessed evening, you know?” Powell said.

She said the event began 11 years ago for Troyer’s birthday, which was supposed to be a surprise.

“The first year we had about 60 people, I guess, and then, at the end of the night, we just asked people here if they would like to continue this, and Smokey Wilson agreed, and it’s been going strong and just better and better every year,” Powell said.

When asked what kept the event going, she said people respond really well to it.

“This is just (to) uplift God, you know,” Powell said. “(There are) a lot of troubles in the world today and it’s just to remind people, you know, that God is there, and God loves you.”

She said people have been after her and Troyer over the years to put up a jar for donations.

“It was just last year that we put up a donation jar,” Powell said. “So we got enough last year to, you know, to pay for the two singers we have.”

For more information, contact Powell at (434) 315-0322.