| In 1909, Edmond S. Barr, a native of the Bahama Islands, attended the autumn camp meeting in Pleasant Grove, Florida and with his wife Rebecca received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Barr understandably wanted to return to his homeland and tell his countrymen the good news of the full Gospel. R. M. Evans, a retired Methodist minister, also became concerned about the Bahamas. Evans raised the money to send the Barrs back home and promised to follow. The Barrs arrived back in the Bahamas in November 1909. Evans sold all of his possessions and bought a wagon and a team of mules. He and his wife drove to Miami where he sold the wagon and mules and bought tickets to the Bahamas. On January 4, 1910, Evans and his wife, with Carl M. Puget, landed at Nassau, the first missionaries to represent the Church of God abroad. At the Assembly of 1911 (Sixth), an offering was taken for the Evanses. Though the amount was only $21.05 it represented the first general missions offering taken by the Church of God. The first local mission offering was given by the Church of God in Arcadia, Florida. The first World Missions Board was appointed in 1926, and the first executive secretary of World Missions, M. P. Cross, was appointed in 1942. The World Missions ministry of the Church of God continues to expand from its humble beginnings. Its goal is to carry out the Great Commission of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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