The Charleston, S.C. church where nine members lost their lives after a lone white supremacist fatally wounded them during Bible study in June will get a new pastor.

Rev. Dr. Betty Deas Clark was appointed the first female pastor at the historic Emanuel AME Church on Saturday.

She delivered her first sermon, a message of hope on Sunday.

Rev. Clark told members of the congregation that as a family that believes in God, the church’s best days are ahead.

Read more at JET.