Our Shepherds
Jono Blackwell
Shepherd
Jono grew up in Roswell, NM where he was blessed to enjoy sports back when there were seasons, explore the wilderness as a member of Super Troop 2, and belonged to the family at Country Club Road Church of Christ. Jono graduated from Goddard High School and went on to Lubbock Christian University where he met his wife, Heather. Between coursework at Lubbock Christian University and Texas Tech University, he graduated with a B.A. of Engineering from LCU and a B.S. and M.S. of Electrical Engineering from TTU by 2002. After graduating from Texas Tech, Jono and Heather moved to Amarillo where he began his engineering career at Pantex designing automated test equipment. During his 22 years at Pantex, he has served in design and lead engineer roles along with supervisory and management roles of both engineering and manufacturing operations overseeing the design and fabrication of tooling and test equipment. While she has made it her full-time job to raise our 2 boys, Heather has also put her Accounting and Finance degrees to work on a part-time basis through the years, mostly working remotely from home.
Jono and Heather have 2 boys, Caleb and Luke. Throughout their childhood, Jono and Heather enjoyed spending time with the boys and chasing them around courts, fields, and courses and occasionally talked them into treks through the mountains of northern NM that involved nights in a hammock staring up through the trees. Caleb is currently pursuing a degree in Ag Economics at Oklahoma State University and Luke is wrapping up his Senior year at West Plains High School, on his way to Ok State in the Fall.
Jono’s hobbies through the years have included coaching the boys through seasons of baseball and golf, holding his tongue through countless basketball games, and working in his shop on the next home improvement project commissioned by “the boss.” He also has a 1976 International Scout Traveler that he and his dad restored while he was in college…it is once again in the middle of an overhaul. In general, Jono loves to learn new things, hear different perspectives, figure out how things work, repair instead of replace, build instead of buy, and collect perfectly good “raw materials” that he gets on the cheap from “good friends” (back behind the barn where Heather won’t notice them).
Jono's Q&A...
What is an interesting fact about you?
I am an Eagle Scout
What are your hobbies?
Camping/Hiking, Golf, Working in the shop
Favorite foods?
Mexican
Favorite music?
A little bit of everything but Rap
Favorite book (other than the Bible)?
C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters
Favorite Bible verse?
Philippians 4:8-9
Mac or PC?
Chromebook
If you could share just one of Jesus' teachings with someone what would it be?
Jesus calms the wind and waves…don’t underestimate the power of our Lord…don’t be afraid, have faith.
Favorite moment at Southwest?
Baptizing my two sons, Caleb and Luke
What do you love about Southwest?
We are a family that loves each other and seeks God’s truth in the midst of a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and ages. Those differences have often been what has helped me and my family grow spiritually and relationally closer to God and to our church family here at Southwest. This village/tribe has been instrumental in helping Heather and I raise our boys and in shaping them into the men they have become and equipping them to serve God and follow Jesus.