Brian P Hogan - Theres a Sheep in my Bathtub: Birth of a Mongolian Church Planting Movement

Brian Hogan

Theres a Sheep in my Bathtub

Birth of a Mongolian Church Planting Movement

2008 Brian Hogan. Printed and bound in the United States of America. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval systemexcept by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine, newspaper, or on the Webwithout written permission in writing from the publisher. For information, please contact Asteroidea Books, P.O. Box 737, Bayside, CA 95524. Info@AsteroideaBooks.com. Web: www.AsteroideaBooks.com

If you love this book please review it on Amazon.com.

All scripture quotations in this publication are from the Contemporary English Version Copyright 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

Photograph on page property of L. Reinhart. Used with permission. All other photographs are property of the author. About the Author photo taken by Philip Dresser.

Although the author and the publisher have made every effort to ensure the accuracy and completeness of information contained in this book, we assume no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or any inconsistency herein. Any slights of people, places, or organizations are unintentional.

First Printing 2008

ISBN 978-0-9799056-1-2

Library of Congress Control Number: 2007906178 (paperback edition)

Advance Praise for

Theres a Sheep in my Bathtub

From the very first page this book jerks you irretrievably into the outrageous, the uproarious and the impossible to imagine. It has got to be one of the most absolutely fascinating tales to ever prove that the truth is stranger than fiction. Nevertheless, it throbs with a sobering and relentless sense of calling and purpose that is truly inspiring.

Dr. Ralph D. Winter

Founder , U.S. Center for World Mission

Hogan has written a personal account of church planting in Erdenet , Mongolias third city, which occurred over a three year period in the 1990s. While emphasizing that he and his family were part of a church-planting team, his narrative is deeply personal. At points the story is heart-wrenching and poignant; at other times it is uplifting and motivating. From the despair of having to bury his only son on the steppes of Mongolia to the birth of a church-planting movement, Hogan offers a deeply spiritual memoir, peppered with humor and inspirational insight, and informed by solid biblical missiology. I recommend this book to all Christians in the hope that they will see what God in Christ can do when a man and his family are willing to pay the ultimate price in discipleship.

Hugh P. Kemp, author of Steppe by Step: Mongolias Christians from ancient roots to vibrant young church

I wept, laughed and was stirred by this book. I love a good story, and this is a really good one! You wont be able to put it down!

Floyd McClung., author of Living on the Devils Doorstep: From Kabul to Amsterdam

Brian Hogans apostolic passion shines through with an incredible combination of raw honesty and witty humor. A gripping real-life parable unfolds that will have you laughing, weeping and rejoicing at the amazing testimony of Gods grace and power revealed through ordinary people facing extra-ordinary obstacles. I wholeheartedly recommend this book as it not only tells an amazing story, but also becomes a discipleship tool that reveals to us a whole new paradigm of church and missions.

David Broodryk, Kingdom People Network , South Africa

Reading Theres a Sheep in my Bathtub is like reading another chapter in the book of Acts. Brian Hogan is not a theorist, but an apostle in the strictest sense. He has an amazing story to tell of what God has done through simple obedience to Gods Word and trusting in the Holy Spirits leading to see an entire unreached nation explode with the Gospel. The spontaneous and radical expansion of the Church in its first several centuries was not just for then, but it is happening still today around the world through church planting movements. Read this book and experience the adventure, miracles and acts of the Holy Spirit through Hogans story. Be prepared to be challenged, to let go of old paradigms of Church and be ready to embark on your own adventure to see souls saved, disciples made and churches planted in the nations. After reading Theres a Sheep in my Bathtub you will once again believe that the impossible can be possible with God!

Jaeson Ma, author of The Blueprint: a Revolutionary Plan to Plant Missional Communities on Campus, and Director of Campus Church Networks.

If you want a radically cross-cultural journey without leaving your favorite easy chair this book is your ticket.

If you desire to plant churches that reproduce among the least reached this is your training manual wrapped up in a most delightful, brawny and instructive story-box!

I laughed I cried and wrestled through the realities of what it means to leave the easy chair and watch God prove Himself faithful - accomplishing His dreams for a people through one ordinary and obedient family.

Brian Hogan is courageous, practical and real. Focused in the same direction for many years, he is a pioneer, church planter, mentor and model. His journey is a challenge to all those who want to be used by God. Brians thinking will stretch and grow you; his passion and lifestyle will confront every comfortable corner of your life.

Theres a Sheep in my Bathtub will be top on the reading list for those I train.

Carol Davis, executive director of LeafLine Initiatives

Paul planted a church in Ephesus in just three years. Is that still possible today? Brian Hogans story proves that it is. With humor and colorful descriptions, he tells the story of how his family joined a team among an unreached people at the ends of the earth and saw a healthy, indigenous Mongol church raise up its own leaders, multiply itself, and send out its own missionariesall within three years. As Brian illustrates, it may not be easy, but it is possible.

Anne Thiessen, Mixteco tribal church planter and author of The Shepherds Storybook

Brian Hogans Erdenet-story had been told to me a number of times as a real and astonishing exception and a true, powerful secret. I am thrilled to see it in print. Brian experienced church history in the making in 1993-1996. May his insights multiply like an epidemic and grip an entire new generation of an apostolic people, so that this planet will never remain the same.

Wolfgang Simson, author of Houses that Change the World & The Starfish Manifesto

Theres a Sheep in my Bathtub is the gripping story of the Hogan familys life on the mission field in Mongolia . It is a book that will not fail to stir the emotions. Throughout the account, Brians passion to see the Kingdom of God come to one of the least reached areas of the world shines through. But more than just an enthralling read about the beginnings of a church planting movement, the book teaches valuable lessons and principles that can be applied to any church planting situationespecially cell and simple churches. I could not put it down. I recommend it without hesitation.

Felicity Dale, author of Getting Started & An Army of Ordinary People.

For the past decade, I have worked side by side with Brian training and coaching cross-cultural church planters serving among unreached peoples. How enjoyable its been to watch him inspire hundreds of YWAM church planting teams scattered from Senegal across to Japan . Hes touched us all deeply by his life experiences communicated with a passionate heart. Now, through this book, you will feel the impact as well. May you choose to follow the Hogan familys examplelaunching out in faith, doing your part in bringing the Message of Jesus to those who have never heard!