This webpage is made in memory of Arthur William LaBrant. He made a great impression with those around him by pointing people to Jesus the Christ and by living a life in servitude to Him. It is a look back at Arthur as a minister and his witness of the Holy Spirit through the power of God in the believers life. It is an effort to enlighten those who are seeking the true God which is found to us in the Bible and about the love God showed us by sending his Son. You will find many of Arthur’s audio messages from his ministry with visual and written media to help you reach a closer walk with the Lord and enhance your time with Jesus. Below is a brief look at the life of Arthur LaBrant, a father, husband, musician, minister, teacher, and friend to many.
Arthur William LaBrant
September 29, 1952 ~ December 23, 2020
On September 29, 1952, Arthur William LaBrant was born to Gene and Bertha LaBrant in Seattle, Washington. He spent his early years in Seattle with two younger siblings until age 17. It was during high school that he accepted Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior. He attended and earned a music degree at Minot State College in 1974. He belonged to Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and led their gospel team on weekend deputation trips. It was during this time, as a senior, he met Beckie Schaeffer, a freshman studying for a nursing degree. He played in the Minot Symphony Orchestra and belonged to Phi Mu Sinfonia and MENC and worked as a Dorm Proctor and Librarian. During the summers, he worked with Intervarsity in Estes Park, CO as well as being a chef and dish washer in area restaurants.
In 1974, Arthur took a band teaching position in Yorkton, Saskatchewan while building an orchestra program. He and Beckie were married on December 31, 1976.
Two years later, he felt led to pursue seminary training for his counseling credentials. While at Western Evangelical Seminary in Oak Grove, OR, he felt the call to pastoral ministries. Son, Eric Arthur joined the family in 1980. After ordination in 1983, he accepted a professor position at Vennard College in Oskaloosa, IA. During those days, daughter, Lia Beth joined their family.
They returned to Portland, OR in 1986 to serve at Tremont Evangelical where he had previously interned. Prior to the birth of Evan William they accepted the call to Manor Evangelical Church in Battle Ground, WA where they served for six years. Arthur also returned to Tri-met in 1989 and completed 15 years of bus driving while being bi-vocational and serving churches. During this time he sang with the Gospel Gleeman, a chorus of evangelical pastors.
From 1995-2000, he served as Minister of Music at Wichita Evangelical Church in Portland. In 1995, he returned to music education, teaching band and orchestra throughout the Evergreen and Vancouver school districts. He spent 15 years at Gaiser Middle School and ended his career doing substitute teaching. He was privileged to teach Lia and Evan in their classroom as well. It was a fun and fulfilling benediction to his career.
From 2000-2009 the LaBrants attended First Evangelical Church in Vancouver, followed by ministry at Life Fellowship in North Portland. He earned his Masters of Education Administration in 2002 at the University of Portland.
In 2015, they attended Vancouver Church where he and Beckie worked together in a music ministry. They joined forces with pastors Steve and Mark in the restart of ANEW! Church in November 2019.
Arthur was a member of the Clark College Orchestra for 20 years and sang in the Clark College Chorale and Touch of Class Community Choir. He co-directed the Marshallaires, a senior community choir with Pastor Mark for 4 years. He was a chaplain during Evan’s scouting years and together they travelled to Canada and New Mexico on high adventure trips. Arthur and Beckie performed many musical programs with their children as they grew up, including concerts in the Midwest.
Arthur was promoted to Glory on December 23, 2020 after fighting a long battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
He leaves behind his wife, Beckie of 44 years; son, Eric of Vancouver; daughter, Lia of Los Angeles; son, Evan of Lincoln, NE and two grandchildren, Carissa and Phoenix of Vancouver. Brother Jeff of Yakima WA and sister Nina of Seattle, WA along with many dear friends and fellow Christian brothers and sisters.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
2 Timothy 4:7