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History Made: Emanual AME Names Woman as New Pastor

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Charleston, South Carolina's Emanual AME Church has appointed a new pastor. The church recieved national attention last year after nine members were killed during a church meeting.

Rev. Betty Deas Clark is now the pastor over the church and it's the first time in the church's history that they have elected a female pastor.

Last June, 21-year-old Dylann Roof shot and killed nine black churchgoers during a bible study.

Clark who has been a minister for almost three decades told The Post and Courier that she wanted to leave the congregation with a simple message.

"In the face of tragedy and uncertain times, we still have a God in whom we can trust," she said.

Since the shooting, Rev. Dr. Norvel Goff led the church until they named Clark the pastor, whom the church affectionately addresses as Mother Emanuel.

Clark said she personally knew five of the nine people that were killed, including the late state senator and pastor Rev. Clementa Pickney.

"It's going to take me some time to sit with the people, cry with the people, talk to the people, then talk to God and ask Him where do we go from here? To be determined by God's will," she told The Christian Post.

In her sermon last Sunday she told the congregation, "God feels our pain, hears our cries and He knows our every move."

"While the dreams, expectations and bodies of many have been laid to rest, we must not allow nor put our hope to rest. We must believe as a family in God [and] that our best days are in front of us. We must believe that better days are coming," she said, according to The Post and Courier.

Although this is not the first time that Clark has served as the "first woman" in the church she approaches this position with care and humility.

"It's just an awesome task," she said. "You want to do God proud with whatever you do and approach it with humility."

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About The Author

Talia
Wise

Talia Wise has served as a multi-media producer for CBNNews.com, CBN Newswatch, The Prayer Link, and CBN News social media outlets. Prior to joining CBN News she worked for Fox Sports Florida producing and reporting. Talia earned a master’s degree in journalism from Regent University and a bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia.