As Brenda Lancaster’s pastor and friend it gives me great joy to recommend Brenda as a gifted writer, creative teacher, and captivating speaker who conveys truth, forged in the fires of everyday life in a humorous way. I’ve known Brenda for many years and found her to be a good steward of all God has given her, a faithful servant who is determined to build God’s Kingdom, and a serious soul winner, sharing her faith and leading many into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Brenda is an active, faithful member of Life Community Church. God has given her a unique and very effective Bible study that was not only offered here, but was one of the most effective, life-changing Bible studies our ladies have experienced in some time. Not only was there enthusiasm, excitement, and a record attendance, but numerous testimonies of the life-changing power of Jesus Christ. Brenda has encouraged, inspired, and mentored many young ladies in our church family through small group Bible studies, seminars, and various ministries. I highly recommend Brenda and the ministry God has given her. She will honor our Lord and build His Kingdom.
Pastor Jake J Thornhill, Jr.
Senior Pastor
Life Community Church – Greensboro, NC
Jake@LIFE-Community.com
Brenda Lancaster has produced some powerful, lucid, and remarkable, insightful material for families and women in particular. Her teachings are biblical, relevant, and desperately needed in today’s families. Not only should every woman, mother, husband, and father study Brenda’s material, but so should every pastor. A pastor’s ministry would be far richer if he preached the content of theses study guides to his people. This teaching on the family and womanhood is not like so much on the market today. This is not a gushy mess of sentimental fluffy filler. It is solid biblical meat with spiritual depth. It is some of the best material on the subject I have seen in over forty years of ministry.
Dr Michael K Moore
Life Renewal Ministries – Kure Beach, NC
As the senior pastor of Agape Baptist Church in Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil, I would like to take this opportunity to encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ, wherever you are in the world, to open your hearts, and homes, and churches to Living in a Zoo? This book, written by Brenda Lancaster, is a scripturally sound, much needed study for women, based on Titus 2. In today s society we all, both men and women, fall short of God’s perfect plan for our families. This study is an instrument for helping women understand their part, and to put Biblical principles into practice in such a way that their husbands will also be won to Biblical obedience. I know Brenda and her husband, Tom, personally, and can testify to the fact that they have adopted the principals she teaches, which has led to a fruitful and satisfying marriage and parenting experience. God bless you as you begin this adventure!
Dr. Roberto Martins De Sa
Senior Pastor
Agape Baptist Church – Campinas, Brazil
As a pastor concerned with growth that is recognizable, The Living in a Zoo study produces results! In Isaiah 45:8 the prophet tells us that righteousness shall grow alongside of salvation. We should see the right choices being made consistently by those who have encountered the Living God of the Bible. The concepts put forward and the strong application in this study shows results in life change. What a joy to see fruit in the lifestyles of the women who invest the time to attend. I would encourage every pastor to get as many women to attend this study as you can.
Dr. Dean Mattern
Associate Pastor
Life Community Church – Greensboro, NC
NCDean@LIFE-Community.com
It has been such a joy and privilege to minister with Brenda Lancaster for the past 10 years. I have watched as God has used her to break down seemingly immovable barriers in a number of womens’ lives. Brenda is a lover of God and a lover of His Word and I have learned so much about carrying out our Lord’s command to love your neighbor as yourself. We are living in an upside-down world where wrong is called right and right is called wrong – but I have witnessed over and over the fact that Brenda Lancaster is the real deal! She has purposed herself to seek after the Lord and live out His calling in her life . . . first, living out God’s principles and then teaching them to others. There is no doubt in my mind that Brenda will be one to whom the Lord says, “Well done My good and faithful servant”.
Tami Carr
Women’s Ministry Director
Life Community Church – Greensboro, NC
As a pastor s wife for the past 12 years and a Bible teacher, meeting Brenda Lancaster and ZooKeeper’s Ministries became a life changing experience for me. I have spent many years counseling and consoling wives and mothers on how to love their husbands and get through life raising their children in such trying times. This is the best, realistic, biblically sound study I have ever been a part of for mothers and wives. Having spent time with Brenda one on one in her home and on the road I have come to love the heart she has for Jesus and her deep hunger for His Word. I have seen her minister in women retreats and dinners where pregnant women come to realize how valuable they are to Christ and turn their lives over to Him and then see the change Jesus makes in them. I have known ladies that were ready to leave their husbands go away from the retreat or dinner and say I am going to make this work with the help of the Lord. I can do this. ” I have watched them go through this study and have seen their lives change. “
Lucie Harris – Ladies Ministry Director & Founder of Designing Women for Christ
True Vine Community Church – Greensboro, NC
Have You Ever Felt as if you were Living in a Zoo? ” The name catches our attention, and the content captures our hearts! .. even now I could, if space permitted, share dozens of testimonies of lives and marriages that have been impacted, and are undergoing the process of transformation as a direct result of this study. As Brenda herself would agree, there is nothing new about it. It is the same solid, trustworthy, regenerating, powerful, indisputably liberating Word of God that we have had at our fingertips for centuries. No new Truth exists that will set us free. The difference is that God has chosen to speak through Brenda s life, has chosen to inspire her to speak in such a way that we get it , and that challenges us to really question ourselves as to whether or not we are walking in obedience to that Truth. Thus God speaks, we hear, and He is glorified!
Speaking on a more personal level, just for myself, as a so-called, somewhat more experienced Christian, I was forced to face issues that were not particularly pleasing to me. I was challenged to stop skirting these issues, to stop pretending to myself that they were within the permissible bounds of normalcy, and deal with them once and for all. With God s help, I am on my way to overcoming. I know that I ll succeed for two reasons: 1) because God is faithful and 2) because I will never accept mediocrity again. Praise the Lord!
Pat Martins De Sa
Ministry Director & Pastors Wife
Agape Baptist Church – Campinas, Brazil
My name is Cheryl Moore. I have known Brenda and her family for almost 35 years. We met while living in Florence, South Carolina. They invited us to visit the church they attended, and we ended up joining that church and serving with them there.
Brenda and I were two very busy and somewhat frustrated young mothers, and yes, very ignorant in some ways. Even though we were in church and learning the Word, something was missing. The missing link in our lives were mentors and someone to minister to young busy women . It s not that God s Word didn t have what we needed; it s just that part was not taught along with the rest. Those experiences and the lack of encouragement in the lives of young women is what prompted Brenda to write Living in a Zoo? You that have young children can relate to the experiences of the many tasks of a mother, especially when Dad is so busy or just not involved.
The Zoo Bible study is just the kind of study that meets you where you are and becomes the ministry and encouragement you need. As someone who has been there , Brenda s ministry through the Zoo , is reaching hearts and encouraging others with teachings from God s Word. Brenda has spoken at our church in Gaffney, SC and we have her scheduled to speak again at a two day women s retreat in March 09. I highly recommend this Bible Study. It is great for ladies of all ages and you will leave being encouraged and fulfilled by this dynamic lady who has been there !!
Cheryl Moore
Women s Ministry Director
Goucher Baptist Church – Gaffney, SC
Recently we had Brenda Lancaster as a speaker for our Ladies Brunch at Asheboro Friends Meeting, in Asheboro, North Carolina. Our ladies enjoyed the wonderful stories that she shared about how God has worked in her life. Living in a Zoo? is a wonderful Bible study book and is easy to understand and relate to. We are planning to begin using the book and DVD for our younger moms during our Wednesday night service soon. I highly recommend her for any ladies group as a speaker and found her to be a warm and caring person.
Susan Coltrane
Asheboro Friends Meeting – Asheboro, NC
Through your love and obedience to God s call to come here, lives have been touched for Christ and souls added to His Kingdom. You have blessed, encouraged and refreshed me so that my cup truly runneth over!
Glenda
First Baptist Church Biloxi, Mississippi
Brenda was a delight as she shared at our women s conference in 2008. After meeting her personally, I immediately bonded with her spirit, recognizing her love for the Lord. She has an awesome ministry truly guided by the Lord. Women attending her seminar Living in a Zoo? were inspired & challenged & really enjoyed her presentation. With Humor, Truth & Love, Brenda related to real-life issues women face today.
Linda Worley
Coordinator for Renewed – Conference for Women
Lexington, NC
We are thrilled at what the Lord has done through Living in a Zoo? and Brenda. We had a great retreat and what a response with eight ladies coming to know Christ! We had over 30 involved in the Bible Study and so many are not church goers. Oh what God can do!
Ruth Ann
Sumter, SC
Thank you for sharing God s message with us -our ladies just love you! Christ truly shines when you are delivering His message and your love for Christ is so evident. It was a wonderful evening!
Donna and Gwen
Wilmington, NC
We are almost at the end of Part I, and we have had so much fun. BUT the Lord has shown us so much and grown us so much. Thank you for being used of HIM. We are excited about starting Part Two!
Linda
First Baptist Church – Birmingham, Alabama
Brenda, you brought lots of sunshine to Asheboro in the midst of a storm. Thank you. I really enjoyed meeting and love your concept of Living in a Zoo?.
Dottie Lewis
First Baptist Church – Asheboro, NC
Here are just a few testimonies from previous attendees of the Living In A Zoo? Bible Study
Lately, I have been struggling with my role as a wife and mother. The first day of the Bible study I knew God had a plan for me and He was going to show me how important being a wife and mom is.
Kelly, High Point, NC
Donna, Greensboro, NC
Leigh, Jamestown, NC
Katia, Campinas Brazil
Candi, Vandalia, Ohio
Beth, Summerfield, NC
Faye, North Carolina
Kim, Korea, Now living in the U.S.
Dottie, High Point, NC
In the first place, I want to thank God for your life and then, for you have heard to His voice and obeyed His will in writing such a precious study!
We have finished the Zoo Keepers study today (Sep 20th, 10) and it was really amazing for all of us. We were an 8 women group and during the last months we shared the importance of being a woman according to Titus 2:3-5 and regardless the season we live in our lives, we’ll always be our Great King’s princesses!!!!
All the concepts you described during the lessons I consider terrific. They really cease any doubts about the approached subjects! And how good were the reflections realized through the daily tasks! God’s light illuminated our dark ways!
Lovely sister that the presence of the Lord, the almighty, the wonderful, Prince’s Peace, comforter, strong God be with you and all of your loved ones every single day of your lives!
P.S.: We’ll begin the study with other women groups soon!
A big kiss
Andrea, São Paulo, Brazil
Psalm 18:30 – As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.
I’m very glad in having your study done because I could learn lots of important things a woman need to know.
God has talked to me many times during the study.
Although I’m not married, I could get more mature about marriage and I believe there’s a purpose on it.
I praise to God because I had this great opportunity while I think there are many who would like to have it too and they have no chance. I pray to God so that I can teach other women and learn more from God.
Thank you and God bless you.
Anabel, São Paulo, Brazil
With great happiness that I write this letter for you in order to, first of all, thank God then you, because you have laid yourself out in sharing your experiences with us through this book.
I’ve already been a Christian for 16 years and I considered everything was doing well and some things wouldn’t happen to me. At the same time I was getting involved emotionally to another person, I was running to the abysm. I love my husband and children a lot but I almost was deceived for the evil that comes subtly and involves us without noticing; but God is faithful and He brought this book at the right time what have rescued me and didn’t allow His lovely daughter to fall and He has involved me with His arms, love and forgiveness.
God and I had a special night and I recognized I’m weak and I need Him and His love. Everything has restored and because of your teachings I’m a better wife, mother and daughter nowadays.
I’ve figured out how my family is important to me and to God and how other things such as carrier, friends and other distractions may wait or be in a second place.
That God blesses your life. I’ve been putting Titus 2 into practice and teaching the real responsibility of marriage to the youngest women.
Thank you for everything,
Solange, São Paulo, Brazil
The very first lesson spoke to my heart. It seemed to hit just where I needed it. At this time of my life I am a wife, mom to a 15 month old and a 3 year old, and I also work outside the home. This lesson helped me see that if my devotions are just a minute here and a minute there at this stage of my life, just being in God s Word some during the day and meditating on it is more important than how long I spend. God knows where I am in my life because He put me here, so He will honor my time in His Word, not matter how it comes to be. But it did convict me to spend some time with Him. “
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I had never thought about what line upon line, precept upon precept meant. I guess I thought that after you tell your child something they would know it. What I learned from this study is that you keep teaching the same thing to them over and over. Looking at Jesus response to Nicodemus was a revelation. I saw how he questioned Jesus again and again but our Savior never got tired or frustrated at answering and teaching him. He is our best guide and teacher on parenting. “The Pie for Papa Bear literally changed my life and my husbands.
