MADISON, Wis. — The funeral for Erin West, the teacher who was killed in the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School (ALCS) in Madison, will be held Monday, a week after the fatal shooting took place.

For Rob Warren, lead pastor at Doxa Church in Fitchburg, there aren’t enough words to describe the type of person West was.

“She was one of those people who, when she saw people in need or had thoughts of like, I can help this person, she didn’t just stay there,” Warren said. “She was a person of action.”

Warren said West had been attending Doxa Church for just over two years, but she became involved in the church right away. Warren said their two families became friends.

He said West loved her job teaching at ALCS.

“She was there as just a faithful, steady presence, just to love kids and to help kids to ultimately an abundant life, to help them to understand God’s love,” Warren said.

Warren said he’s been supporting West’s family ever since the shooting on Monday. He said it hasn’t been easy.

“In moments like this, there is like very little that you’re going to say to make anything better,” Warren said. “So sometimes it’s just been like just sitting and just being a presence, a friend.”

West’s funeral service will be just like any other service at the request of her family. Warren said they want Monday to be about West and her faith.

As a pastor, he said it’s difficult to have to preside over a friend’s funeral.

“It’s awful. I wish I didn’t have to do it,” Warren said. “As we prepare for Erin’s funeral, there is a glimmer of hope and light and comfort in the midst of such darkness.”

Warren said that hope is carrying the family through this time of healing.

“We’re grieving, but we’re grieving with hope,” he said.