Meet our Staff
Pastor Amelia Buschena
Co-Pastor
Pastor Amelia grew up outside Detroit Michigan before moving to Wichita KS to attend Friends University. At Friends she received her B.A. in Religion and Philosophy and went on to receive her Master’s of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary (NJ). Before coming to Common Ground she has had ministry experiences in hospital chaplaincy and youth ministry and most recently worked as the Director of Spiritual Growth at Forest Hills UMC and as the Campus Ministry Associate for the Gopher Wesley Foundation at the University of Minnesota.
Pastor Andrew Buschena
Co-Pastor
Originally from a farm outside of Fulda, Minnesota, Pastor Andrew received bachelor’s degree in Theology and Philosophy and History from the University of Sioux Falls and then his Master’s of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary (NJ). Prior to serving at Common Ground he interned as a hospital chaplain and a youth minister, and most recently was the Director of Worship and Outreach at Forest Hills UMC in Forest Lake, MN. While serving at Common Ground he recieved his MBA with a focus in non-profit and church leadership from Dakota Wesleyan University.
Erika Knight
Director of Children's Ministry
Erika has been involved in ministry for over 15 years. She began working as a youth leader at Hopkins United Methodist Church before moving to Cambridge. Erika coordinates everything from kids church to wacky olympics to Common Ground’s annual Trunk or Treat. One of the things that Erika enjoys most about her job is getting to know the students and their families.
Frank Wells
Director of Music
The director of the church choir at Common Ground since 1989, Frank’s first experience with choral music came from singing in his father’s church choir (he is, in fact, a fourth-generation Methodist choir director). Frank has been teaching vocal music at Cambridge-Isanti High School since 1985. A graduate of the Jamestown College (ND), he also holds a Masters of Music Degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Minnesota. In addition to directing the choir, Frank coordinates all things music at Common Ground, plays guitar and sings in worship, and organizes Common Ground concerts.
Tessa Larson
Office Administrator
Tessa is a graduate of Cambridge Isanti High School and graduated from Lawrance University with degrees in clarinet performance and studio art. When Tessa’s not managing all things office related at Common Ground, Tessa loves to bake scones and sew frogs. In addition to being Common Ground’s Office Administrator, Tessa helps to coordinate monthly Pride Hangout gatherings at Common Ground and often plays clarinet in worship.
Tony Harris
Director of Next Generation Ministries
Tony Harris grew up in Southern California where he played football and sang in the choir in school. He is the youngest of 3 siblings. He loves singing, gaming, and time with friends! He was called to ministry in early adulthood though has participated in ministry since he was a kid. He has worked in ministries from Children, Youth, College, Adult, Missions, Discipleship, and more. Tony is passionate about participating with God in creating spaces where everyone experiences love of God, Others, and Themselves as stated in the Greatest Commands! At Common Ground Tony leads the youth group (6th – 12th grades) and young adult (18 – 35) ministries.