July 8

There's a Sheep in my Bathtub: Birth of a Mongolaian Church Planting Movement (2008)
By Brian Hogan

After hearing the author's amazing story in a Perspectives class, I read this account of his (and his family's) church planting adventures in Mongolia.  Brian and his wife initially ministered to the Navajo community in the US southwest before being called to serve in one of the most hostile climates on earth.  When the Hogans began their work in Mongolia, they discovered a unique similarity between the Navajo and Mongolian languages, which helped jump start the movement in Mongolia.  Once they reached a core group of believers, they helped establish small groups (like small house churches) that would meet weekly; then, once a week, all of the house churches would meet for a combined worship service.  At one point, the house churches stopped their small group meetings, putting more store in the combined, much more flashy service.  Recognizing that most of the growth takes place in the small group, Brian worked to reignite the small group ministry, while still maintaining the unified gathering, which provided a good time of praise.  Told honestly and clearly, this is the Biblical way church planting should be: get in, train local leaders, watch the Lord work, get out and let the nationals carry on.