In 1982, Apostle accepted the call to pastor his first church in Lake City, FL by Apostle Henry Ross of the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ (C.O.O.L.J.C). He pastored the Refuge Temple Church in Lake City, FL for 13 years.

In 1995, Apostle preached a sermon entitled, "A New Beginning and A Fresh Start," but little did he know that this sermon was going to play an important role in his future. Later that year 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. His last sermon as pastor of Refuge Temple Church was on September 10, 1995; his last service as Pastor was September 14, 1995. On September 17, 1995 Zarephath Tabernacle's doors were opened.

Apostle's numerous accomplishments include a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Pastoral Counseling and Doctorate of Divinity from the Logos Christian College and Graduate School in Jacksonville, FL. He currently serves on the Board of Regents at Logos Christian College Springfield Campus. He serves as the Chancellor of Wisdom Bible College held on the campus of Zarephath Tabernacle. He is also a board member of the Churches of God and True Holiness International. He serves as the Regional Diocesan Bishop of the North Florida, Mississippi, and Georgia Diocese. He is on the Board of Bishops for the Independent Church Fellowship of Covenant Churches.

Apostle's anointed and skillful exegetical handling of the Scriptures, along with his personal and down-to-earth approach to the Gospel has drawn follower locally and abroad. After years of mentoring various ministers and pastors and demonstration the heart of a pastor's pastor, Apostle James Brant was appointed and consecrated as the Presiding Bishop of the Apostolic Assemblies of Jesus Christ, Inc. (A.A.O.J.C.)

Apostle Brant has been happily married to Denise Mallory for 29 years. They has eight sons: James III, Lamar, Jerry, Daniel, Timothy (Deceased), David, Steven, Jerome, Ray.