Theres a Sheep in My Bathtub: Birth of a Mongolian Church Planting Movement

From the odd premise depicted on the cover (with a very practical purpose) to the poignant and heart-rending personal story near the end, "There's a Sheep in My Bathtub" is a great read for those who are curious about life for a missionary family in a remote outpost or intrigued by cross-cultural living among an isolated people group or just fascinated by the mysterious and austere world of the legendary Genghis Kahn and the Mongolian Empire. This story is very well written, highly interesting and inspiring. Hogan treats the divine and the mundane with the same honesty and straightforward tone. The Hogans' experiences preparing for careers in cross-cultural missions among the Navajo, their serial frustration dealing with the Chinese government on their way into Mongolia (all accepted with rare patience and wit), strange tales of Californians adjusting, "on the fly," to the Mongolian culture and climate (which, being from Central Wisconsin I can understand), and the mix of disappointment and triumph in personal relationships kept me reading past my bedtime most nights. Buy it! Read it! Enjoy it! Pass it On (or keep it and buy another to pass on!)

Brian Hogan is as tranparent as they come, sharing the trials, joys, success, failure, laughter and tears of his and his family's pioneering church plant in Mongolia. Well written and always balanced, There's a Sheep in My Bathtub, gives the reader a stimulating and encouraging account of "what it's like out there." Whether you've been on the mission field or are thinking of going you need to read this.

Brian Hogan is an excelent speaker and has surpassed himself in this book. It is a well writen and enjoyable account of an american famiy's life in mongolia.

Brian Hogan, the author of "There's a Sheep in My Bathtub", contacted me to see if I would be interested in reviewing his book. He sent me a copy and the book is certainly a lively narrative of one American family's journey around the world in an effort of reaching those that are literally unreached. Those of you that enjoy this blog would likely enjoy Brian's book as well. As you learn about the Hogan's story, fundamental cross cultural concepts such as partnership, contextualization, leadership, and team dynamics are all illustrated. Theirs is a story that is inspirational, challenging, and at times, totally heartbreaking. It details the crazy things some people do when they are compelled by a love for others and is a total example of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. When I train new church planters headed for unreached people groups, I tell then that if they are successful, the churches that result will make the church planters uncomfortable. If a church takes on an indigenous character, then it will be outside the comfort zone of the apostolic messengers. It will seem weird to the missionaries. Uncomfortable, apostolic, weird - yup, you would like this book too. - tony sheng student ministry global catalyst http://tonytsheng.blogspot.com

A well-written, down-to-earth account of a family's life as missionaries in harsh environment. God gets the glory in the midst of difficulties and even mistakes. It is also entertaining and funny. There should be more of these kinds of mission stories, with solid church planting principles, and it should be a must read for anyone dreaming about being a missionary.