In 1982, Bishop James Brant, Jr. (then Elder James Brant, Jr.) accepted the call to pastor his first church; Refuge Temple Church of our Lord Jesus Christ in Lake City, FL by Apostle Henry Ross, Sr. He pastored Refuge Temple for 13 years. He was the national evangelist for the COOLJC North Florida – Mississippi Diocese (known now as Region X), which he conducted revivals, tent crusades; planting churches in places such as Jacksonville, Macclenny, Green Cove Springs, Tallahassee, Gainesville, Jasper, Pensacola, just to name a few. Many were healed, delivered, saved, baptized, and became a vital influence in the Kingdom.

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In 1995, the Lord spoke to him concerning a new beginning and a fresh start as it related to his ministry. The Lord led him to start a ministry back in his hometown, Jacksonville, FL. During his travels back and forth to Jacksonville, the name of the church was birthed in him from a sermon he preached concerning the widow woman who sustained Elijah at Zarephath. His last sermon as pastor of Refuge Temple Church was on September 10, 1995; his last service as Pastor was September 14, 1995. 

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On September 17, 1995, the sanctuary of Zarephath Ministries was occupied with approximated 40 worshippers in the first service. During the first dedication and first Holy Convocation of the Apostolic Assemblies of Jesus Christ, Inc, he was appointed and consecrated to the Episcopal of bishop. 

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See the need to minister further than just the four walls of the sanctuary, in August of 2006, He and Dr. Denise founded the Zarephath Academy School of Excellence that ministers to students daily; grades K-12th. Just in the first year of the school’s existence, the student population was 300+.

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His anointed and skillful exegetical handling of the Scriptures, along with his personal and down to earth approach to the Gospel has drawn followers locally and abroad. For the span of his life, Bishop Brant has been a mentor to various ministers, ministries, and pastors; having untiringly demonstrated the heart of a pastor’s pastor.

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In 2002, he became apart of the board of Bishop of the Churches of God and True Holiness International, under the leadership of Apostle Albert E. Dixon, Sr. In June 2009, Bishop Brant was elevated and consecrated to the office of Apostle, and served on the board of apostles. He was elected in the National Holy Convocation in June 2010 as the International Presiding Prelate of the Churches of God and True Holiness International, under the leadership of Apostle Albert E. Dixon, Sr. In June 2009, Bishop Brant was elevated and consecrated to the office of Apostle, and served on the board of apostles. He was recently elected in the National Holy Convocation in June 2010 as the International Presiding Prelate of the Churches of God and True Holiness. In July 2015 at the Holy Convocation of the Alliance of Apostolic Churches of Christ Jesus, a fellowship of apostolic reformations and presiding prelates, he was appointed as the Presiding President.

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A few of Bishop Brant’s numerous accomplishments include a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Pastoral Counseling and a Doctorate of Divinity from the Logos Christian College and Graduate Schools in Jacksonville, Florida, Founder and Executive Director of the Never Too Late (an affiliation of Zarephath Academy offering GED to those who never completed their high school graduation requirements).

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Bishop James Brant, Jr. was translated and transition from this life on Sunday, July 10, 2016; a man of great integrity, character, compassion, and faith. He was a builder, not only as it related to building structures, but also a builder of people as it related to the kingdom. “…I just want to bless somebody; help to find their directions in God; that’s just my aim,” was one of his last statements before his transition.