About John

The John Chapman Story

Growing up in the Newmarket area of Newport News, John had the opportunity of spending time in both Central Baptist School and later Warwick High School. This meant learning from an early age the value of hard work and sacrifice. Sacrifice meant doing without many things so he and his siblings could attend a Christian school and the values he was taught at home would carry into his school environment.

Through the years, John has worked at a number of different jobs including a grocery store, a factory, and even as a chauffeur in New York City. In 2002, John entered the world of transportation when he received his Commercial Driver’s License. During his long hauls as a truck driver, he had the opportunity to see most of this beautiful country before moving to the management side of transportation in 2014. Today, working in food distribution, John manages 35 drivers and has a direct role in training across the state.

John and his wife Marlin were married in 2007. Now they enjoy spending time tending their garden, traveling to new places, and serving at their local church. Over the years, jobs and their life together have taken them to many places from New York to Tennessee to Richmond. In 2019, they returned to the local area to be closer to family and again call Hampton home. 

John and Marlin have always looked for ways to be involved in serving others. In New York, they served in youth ministry at their Indonesian church. In Richmond, they enjoyed the opportunity to serve as therapeutic foster parents. In Hampton, John currently serves as a Deacon at Bethel Baptist Church as well as overseeing the Wednesday children’s outreach ministry, Awana. He also currently serves on the school board for Bethel Christian School.

John Chapman’s Vision

Dramatic changes have occurred in Hampton since John’s childhood. It is a different city where crime continues to increase right outside his door. The cost of living is out of control and families are fighting just to survive. Instead of working together with families to educate the children of the community, we have entered a battle between parents’ values and the values of the State. 

In his church and community John Chapman has learned to serve. In his career, he has learned to lead.  Hampton has a rich history and a promising future. John is fully aware that it will take a lot of people working together to address the ever-changing challenges. There is no doubt John can lead the way and have a dramatic impact in helping the community face these challenges and make a better life for the entire community.  Please join him to pray this journey will help us to realize his vision.