Singers with a purpose will kick off a new semester and are looking for new recruits.

The Unity Gospel Choir will hold its first rehearsal of the year at 6 p.m. Friday in the Doudna Fine Arts Building Room 013.

The choir sings all gospel music and is open to all Christians, said Kia Gowder, vice president of the choir.

“All Christians are welcome to join, regardless of race, sex or creed,” she said.

She said about 10 students are involved so far, but members are encouraging more people to come out.

Gowder said being involved in the choir is a way to praise and worship the Lord through song.

“And it gives Christians a chance to fellowship with other Christians like themselves,” she said.

The choir offers several other ministries, she said.

“We have a nursing home ministry where we go and sing to nursing home residents, and we’re trying to start a prison ministry where we go and lift the spirits of the prisoners,” she said.

The choir also offers an acts of kindness ministry.

“If someone is in need, and if we have the funds, we’ll try to help them,” Gowder said.

The Drill Team, another ministry offered by the choir, is a form of praising the Lord through step, she said.

All rehearsals are the same time and place and are just for the choir. The other ministries are optional.

Gowder said through her involvement in the choir, she has gained a camaraderie with the other Christians in the group.

“My relationship with the Lord has come closer and gotten better.”