GIVE
THANK YOU
Thank you so much for your desire to support John and Chelsea. They are looking for financial support in the form of monthly giving and spiritual support in the form of prayers.
FINANCIAL & SPIRITUAL SUPPORT
GIVING
The Barzal family and friends founded Victor Haven Ministries after clear direction from God and many open doors. Planting a church in the Victor Haven community of Annapolis has been John's pursuit as he attends Denver Seminary. John has been fund-raising for his time cultivating the VHM community much like a missionary would abroad but instead has a focus on the local neighborhood.
All giving is handled through Estuary (learn more) which is a registered non-profit. All donations are tax-deductible with a giving statement provided at the end of the year. The link below will take you to the giving platform.
AREAS OF FOCUS
VICTOR HAVEN COMMUNITY
The Victor Haven community is one of the more racially diverse neighborhoods in Annapolis with many multi-generational families. It is located near a grocery store, elementary school, and other small neighborhoods, leading to a lot of foot traffic. John has been volunteering at the local elementary school, Georgetown East, once a week to support the school and build relationships with the staff and children.
In the summer of 2024 John and a few friends turned the Barzal's home into a garden to grow fun produce to eat and share with neighbors.
VICTOR HAVEN MINISTRIES
Our home page describes the practical ways we have structured our church rhythms and the why's behind it. Some churches need to condense gathering goals (like worship, a message, etc.) into a shorter once-a-week gathering. We are trying out meetings throughout the week to give each spiritual formation some extra space in hopes that we can lean in a little deeper in hopes of being transformed by Jesus and to receive what Holy Spirit is telling us.
SEMINARY
John is working towards a Masters in the Old Testament. He was inspired by The Bible Project and wanted to learn more about how to read Ancient Hebrew to see more of the beauty that is within the Old Testament.
John started his seminary career at Alliance Theological Seminary in 2021 and had an excellent professor teach him how to translate Ancient Hebrew. In the Spring of 2023, John began the next leg of his journey at Denver Seminary. Here he has found the curricula to be rigorous and challenging, which was exactly what John was looking for.
In the upcoming semesters, John hopes to study Aramaic and Greek to dive more deeply into the New Testament.
PASTORAL RESIDENCY
John had hopes of being ordained by a local church body and had a lot of momentum in that. The church that John was connected with was a source of great hope and encouragement and has been the foundation of the Wednesday night bible study the Barzal's host. The residency did not keep traction, but it has not stopped what God has been doing within VHM. We are grateful for the relationships gained and will continue to cherish them.