On May 31, 1909, A.J. Tomlinson set forth Edmond and…

On May 31, 1909, A.J. Tomlinson set forth Edmond and Rebecca Barr as evangelists in the Church of God. Likely the first Black ministers in the denomination, Edmond was from the Bahamas, while Rebecca had been born somewhere near the Florida/Georgia state line. The Barrs were part of 174 who joined the Church of God during Tomlinson’s ministry that month at the Pleasant Grove Camp Meeting in Durant, Florida. Among that number, Tomlinson ordained 6 bishops and 6 deacons along with licensing 7 evangelists. Although there was a common Evangelist’s License, at that time women did not officiate in water baptism, the Lord’s Supper, or the washing of the Saint’s feet.