Who were the first COG missionaries?

• A. The Johnsons
• B. The Smiths
• C. The Barrs
• D. The Browns

Answer: (C)

The early drive to send out workers beyond the local church is what this question highlights. Recognizing who first carried the message beyond the original congregation shows how the Church of God began to formalize its mission field and inspire others to go.

The Barrs are identified as the first missionaries because historical records from the Church of God’s early history point to them as the initial workers dispatched to preach and establish outreach beyond their homeland. Their example marked the beginning of the church’s formal missionary pattern, creating a precedent for later generations of missionaries to follow and supporting the church’s growing emphasis on evangelism and global outreach.

While other families in the list played important roles in the church’s life—whether in leadership, preaching, or ministry work—the Barrs are specifically recognized for initiating the missionary sending that launched the church’s mission field.