Johnny and Juanita Berguson have always carried a deep burden for unity in the Body of Christ.
For years, they dreamed of a day when believers from countless congregations, small groups, and ministries would function not as isolated churches, but as one Church of a city or region —united across denominational lines in purpose, mission, and care for one another.
That dream is no longer just talk, it is taking shape.
Johnny and Juanita part of a group of people helping to bring that vision to life in north central Pennsylvania. The Church of the Northern Tier represents believers working together to embody what many have only imagined: one Church with many congregations, advancing the Kingdom together.
This interview with a Christian magazine will share more about this groundbreaking project—what they’re building, why it matters, and how it’s already bearing fruit across the region.
A Functional Church Across the Region
We often hear believers talk about unity—but what does it look like to actually build and administrate a unified expression of the Church in a city or region?
Johnny and Juanita are participating in what could very well become a model for other communities: a fully functional administrative structure that supports evangelism, discipleship, and community impact by engaging the church across a community- congregations, ministries and individuals. .
“We’re not replacing existing churches or ministries,” they shared. “We’re strengthening what’s already working, and filling in the gaps to help the entire Body grow together.”
How It Works: Cells and Celebrations
The Church of the Northern Tier is organized around two powerful concepts:
- Cells – One of the early efforts is to bring people together to learn. These gatherings are called Learning Groups. They are small gatherings designed to reach the lost, help believers build skills, and build lasting relationships. Much of the content is developed by local pastors, with support from other partners.
Celebrations – Weekly worship services and teaching gatherings already happen within local congregations. Instead of duplicating these, the Church of the Northern Tier strives to strengthen and support what’s already effective.
Anchored by Kingdom Standards
The challenge however is: How to get pastors, ministry leaders, and everyday believers to work together?
Johnny and Juanita found the answer in a shared foundation of faith. They use KingdomStandards.com—a set of 33 timeless truths designed to unify believers across denominations and traditions.
From there, the team builds momentum through action. Every initiative is designed to engage and benefit others: unchurched, congregations, believers and ministries. As they shared, “People participate in things that benefit them and bless others. If they don’t see a benefit, they don’t commit.”
That kind of clarity keeps the focus on service—not structure—and makes room for a wide range of believers to link arms for the good of the region.
Overcoming Real-World Challenges
Building regional unity in the Body of Christ is a powerful vision—but it’s not without its challenges. Not everyone will commit at the same level. That’s why Johnny and Juanita introduced a simple, flexible framework for understanding engagement.
Three Roles in the Movement
- Recipients
Some believers choose not to engage directly with regional efforts. That’s okay. They will still benefit from the work happening across the Northern Tier—whether through outreach, prayer, or discipleship ministries led by others. - Participants
These are individuals who actively contribute—either through their local congregations or by linking arms with others across the region. They might help lead Learning Groups, write curriculum, minister to seekers, or help nurture new believers.
Participation looks different for everyone, but the invitation is open to all. - Overseers
Just as New Testament elders oversaw the spiritual health of cities and regions, Overseers in the Northern Tier are stepping into that same role today.
They work alongside pastors, ministry leaders, and small group facilitators to care for the wider community—not just one congregation.
Real Barriers to Regional Unity
Of course, not every community embraces collaboration right away. Based on firsthand experience, Johnny and Juanita identified three common obstacles—especially in rural areas:
- Pastoral Overload – Many rural pastors carry multiple responsibilities, often while working second jobs. New initiatives can feel like just “more work.”
- Restrictive Oversight – Some churches are connected to denominations or associations that discourage outside collaboration, viewing regional unity as a threat to authority or funding.
- Fear of Disruption – Even in healthy churches, leaders may worry that too much change could lead to instability, distraction, or even “church hopping.”
And yet—fruit changes minds. Once people experience the spiritual and relational impact of working together, these concerns often give way to trust and excitement.
Funding Model: Business + Ministry
In the Northern Tier, the team is testing a funding model that engages the business community in meaningful ways.
By offering values-based training in conflict resolution, marriage building, and team development, local businesses receive tangible benefits—and are introduced to core principles along the way.
It’s already working. With this type of training, employers are seeing better culture, lower turnover, and healthier teams—while also supporting regional discipleship.
Tools That Equip and Multiply
Transformation doesn’t happen by accident—it happens when people are equipped with the right tools and supported in real-life application. That’s exactly what’s unfolding in the Northern Tier through a growing number of Peacemaking Trainings.
These 5–6 week, in-person courses are currently being hosted in homes throughout the region. One of the first groups recently completed Lesson 3 and, according to Johnny and Juanita, they’re already seeing deep engagement and heart-level change.
The training is both biblical and practical, offering participants a framework to:
- Strengthen their own relationships through personal growth
- Help family and friends navigate conflict
- Serve as peacemakers within their local church or congregation
- Bring reconciliation into schools, businesses, and community settings
Once a course is completed, the facilitator continues offering one-on-one coaching, walking each participant through a real conflict they’re facing. It’s not just about learning principles—it’s about living them out.
Equipping the Region Through Local Teachers
One of the most exciting aspects of what’s emerging in the Northern Tier is the discovery of untapped teaching gifts already present in the region. Local believers—many of whom have walked with the Lord for years—carry powerful, equipping messages that are now being released to serve others.
To help multiply this impact, the leadership team is encouraging these gifted individuals to develop 6–8 session courses based on their unique areas of insight and calling. Several of these courses are already in development, covering topics like discipleship, spiritual growth, marriage, and emotional healing.
But they’re not left to figure it out alone.
The team is providing hands-on support to help regional teachers:
- Structure their content in a clear, teachable format
- Refine learning objectives and lesson flow
- Prepare courses for both in-person gatherings and digital delivery
This process doesn’t just raise up new teachers—it also increases access for people hungry to grow, whether they’re in a small rural town or a larger hub in the region.
How Churches Grow Through Regional Unity
The Church of the Northern Tier isn’t just impacting individuals—it’s helping local congregations become stronger and more effective.
One of the key strategies behind this is the use of Learning Groups—small, consistent groups designed for connection, processing lessons, and follow-up. These groups give people a safe, relational environment to reflect on what they’re learning and take meaningful next steps in their faith journey. People on a journey to strengthen their faith naturally look for a congregation that ‘fits’. As they should! Connecting, growing and working together is the heart of what Jesus intends for us.
But the vision doesn’t stop at learning groups.
Looking ahead, the team also envisions that as churches grow and have more resources, that they focus some of those resources into releasing senior leaders to serve regionally, not just within the walls of their local congregation. It’s a model that reflects the heart of Jesus—sending out the best, not the leftovers, to bring strength to the broader Body.
However, with so many churches, groups, and leaders involved, one might wonder: How is alignment maintained across the region?
The answer lies in a shared foundation of truth and trusted tools.
The team is working closely with both local and national leaders to develop a growing library of training tools. Some of these, like the Truth Series, are homegrown—developed within the region. Others, such as Ken Sande’s Peacemaking Model, are drawn from national best practices that have already borne fruit in churches and communities.
Each tool is carefully chosen or created to meet three essential criteria:
- Rooted in Scripture
- Proven experience based principles
- Flexible enough to be used in homes, congregations, or the community
The result is a toolkit that helps equip the saints—not just with knowledge, but with practical, transferable skills to lead, disciple, and serve across the region.
What Johnny and Juanita Berguson are building is a glimpse of what a functional, unified Church can look like in action. And for the Northern Tier, this is only the beginning.