CASSOPOLIS — In 1983, Lisa Powell wrote her first gospel song.

“My father sang gospel all his life in church,” she said. “I was not raised in church … I got into it from hearing him sing.”

Now, 32 years later, Powell, who lives in Merriville, Indiana, has written more than 30 songs and traveled from California to Maryland to Texas selling her CDs and performing her music.

“I write every single one of the songs I perform,” she said.

Powell said that she starts with a title then builds a song around that title to promote a message.

“One of my songs is called ‘I’m Not Your Part Time God.’ I want people to know that God is always there for them. I tell people that God wants to be everything.”

This Sunday, Powell will be taking her songs and her messages to Calvin Center SDA Church in Cassopolis as part of a performance to help raise money for children going off to college.

This will be Powell’s first time performing at the Calvin Center SDA Church.

“My main goal with my music is I want to turn people’s hearts back to God,” she said. “He’s calling for our faithfulness … I just pray that people come out and support the youth.”

After the performance in Cassopolis, Powell will travel to East Chicago, Indiana, to perform again at a church there.

“I’m trying to move from state to state with my message,” she said. “I like to travel around to churches.”

The performance at Calvin Center SDA Church will begin at 5 p.m. Sunday, July 19. Admission is $5. Calvin Center SDA Church is located at 19088 Brownsville Street in Cassopolis.

More information about the church can be found at calvincentersda.org, and more information about Lisa Powell can be found at tatemusicgroup.com/epk/artist/26561.