His familiar statues and figurines have been featured in stores across the world, but few know Precious Moments founder Sam Butcher’s humble beginnings with the Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF). …
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Precious Moments founder returns to CEF
Posted
By Jimmy Potts,
Record Managing Editor
His familiar statues and figurines have been featured in stores across the world, but few know Precious Moments founder Sam Butcher’s humble beginnings with the Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF).Last Friday, Butcher dropped by the CEF in Warrenton, which today serves as the organization’s international headquarters. He worked as a janitor for CEF when it was located in Grand Rapids, Mich., until he gained notoriety for his doodles on an outgoing package.He describes his time with CEF as a pivotal point in his life.Growing up in an abusive home, Butcher said his father shunned Christianity and considered it for the weak-willed. Over time, Butcher said religion had become an afterthought until his then wife, Kathie Butcher, dragged him into a church.“It was like I forgot Him (God), but in my mind He was always there,” Butcher said. “It was not until I was 23 and with Kathie that I came to the Lord.”Through his pastor, Butcher said he met an official with CEF and learned of a janitor opening in the shipping department. Eventually his doodles drew enough attention to be featured on the “Tree House Club” television show, which reached millions of viewers.“I thought, the Lord is really working. After working for CEF for several years, I felt ready to go into another ministry,” Butcher said. “It wasn’t long until Precious Moments were in stores all over the world.”Butcher would go on to father three children before eventually retiring to Joplin, where he currently lives.Often basing his statues and figurines on biblical texts, he said the greatest challenge to his beliefs came following his divorce and the death of his sons Philip and Tim.Butcher said he used his skills as an artist to create a room honoring Philip and will construct what he called the Tim Tower at the Precious Moments Chapel in Carthage. He said the hardest part of his ordeals was simply letting go of his angst and frustration.“I said it’s time to accept the will of God and leave it at that,” Butcher said.While speaking to more than 50 attendees of a group worship service on the CEF Warrenton Campus, Butcher said maintaining his belief in God has been a challenging, but rewarding experience and keeping faith throughout times of intense struggle is a lesson people of all ages and backgrounds can learn from.“I just wanted to share a message with them (CEF). I feel so bad because I left so many things out,” he said. “Maintaining your faith is even more important today . . . We live in a day that we really need that message.”
Precious Moments Founder Sam Butcher visited the Child Evangelism Foundation Wednesday, speaking to a group of more than 50 attendees during a worship service on the CEF campus. Jimmy Potts photo.
