JONNO - Founder and Ministry Leader
Growing up in the church and with musical training beginning at age 5, Jonno has developed into not only a multi-talented musician, but also vital minister in the Kingdom of God. Both singer and songwriter, he commands the stage leading bands and worship teams across the country during church services, worship conferences, and concerts, into the presence of God. His uncompromised position on glorifying God coupled with his passion to edify others drives him to pursue new avenues of service in worship.
Jonno grew up in San Francisco, the youngest of three children, where his family attended San Francisco Christian Center. He began formal piano lessons at age 5. He was educated through the San Francisco Unified School District where, at age 11, he picked up the clarinet. Sunday mornings were an escape from the classical training as he learned to play by ear while sitting next to his father, James Strickling Jr. on trumpet, and Enix Seymore on tenor saxophone.
Jonno’s love for music grew stronger, and soon after graduating from George Washington High School he purchased his first soprano saxophone. Soon there after, he began recording with his brother Tim Strickling on a few projects. Requests began to come in for Jonno to play at this church and in that program. Jonno then recorded and released his first solo project entitled Our Time (produced by Tim Strickling - 1992).
God opened more doors and the requests became more frequent. As a saxophonist Jonno has shared stages and played with various Christian and Gospel artists including Israel Houghton, Joseph Garlington, Donnie McClurkin, Daniel Winans, Michael & Regina Winans, Dannibelle Hall, Morris Chapman, Howard McCrary, Tim Miner, Fletch Wiley, Maura Gale, Dean Mills, Jared Ming, Sheryl Brady, David Ivey, Alvin Chea (Take6), Alvin Slaughter, Wintley Phills, Brent Jones & the TP Mob, Javen, and others. He has been seen on TV programs such as “Praise the Lord” on TBN, “People Like You” on KTLN-TV, “Real Talk” on VCAT, as well as various radio programs.
Jonno is a preacher/teacher on the topic of Worship. Through Moving Up-Words Music he offers Building True Worshippers Seminars to churches and ministry organizations to improve the individual’s understanding of the topic and enhance the Kingdom of God.
He was ordained as an Elder by Dr. Winnie Hamilton of Son Rise Ministries International, Cleveland, OH in June of 2010. He is a student at William Jessup University – School of Professional Studies working on his degree in Christian Leadership (completion Spring 2012). He is a part-time Assisting Worship Pastor at East Bay Fellowship Foursquare Church in Danville, CA. He is founder of Moving Up-Words Music.
Jonno and his wife Tonya have been married almost 20 years (September 7, 1991), and have four daughters. As a family they are active members of San Francisco Christian Center (Rev. Roderick V. Gittens, Senior Pastor).