THE PRECIOUS MOMENTS STORY....

Sam Butcher began his career as a "chalk minister" -                           

using illustrations to teach young children about God.

                                                            The job paid very little, so Sam supplemented his income by working as a janitor.

Sam has never forgotten his humble beginnings. Even though he is one of America's most beloved artists, he remains a quiet family man. Nothing means more to him than his children and grandchildren, and he takes advantage of every opportunity to make them an active part of his life and his work.

With a strong spiritual commitment, Sam accepted a job as an artist at the International Child Evangelism Fellowship in Grand Rapids, Michigan. For ten years, his work was seen by millions of viewers on the program, TREE HOUSE CLUB, and as his artistic reputation grew, so did his family. In 1974, a friend invited him to join forces and start the Jonathan & David inspirational greeting card business, utilizing the teardrop-eyed children Sam had been drawing for family and friends over the years. Sam called them "Precious Moments" because they carried messages of loving, caring and sharing to those he loved. The Jonathan & David card line was very well received. It was also the first step toward professional success for the artist and his PRECIOUS MOMENTS art.
In 1978, Enesco president Eugene Freedman, touched by the genuine feelings depicted in one of Sam's posters, met to discuss Sam's artwork. From this meeting, the first porcelain figurine, Love One Another, was sculpted and twenty more were developed. By the end of 1978, all twenty-one original PRECIOUS MOMENTS figurines were introduced to the market.

The response to the figurines was incredible. People wrote about how the PRECIOUS MOMENTS figurines had touched their lives in a moving and heartfelt way. In less than a year after their introduction, demand was overwhelming. Although the success of the PRECIOUS MOMENTS figurines was amazing, Sam never lost touch with his original purpose to create art which combined his heartfelt emotions with his abiding faith.

The collection is now well over 1,500 pieces with new introductions being sold even before they arrive at the dealers. The membership ranks of collector's clubs throughout the world are growing at an unprecedented rate. Even more telling, since its opening in 1989, the PRECIOUS MOMENTS Inspiration Park in Carthage, Missouri has received approximately 400,000 visitors a year. Each coming to enjoy the inspirational and up-lifting experience of Sam's living tribute to our Lord, Jesus Christ. The success of PRECIOUS MOMENTS can be attributed to Sam's loyalty and genuine feelings for those who collect PRECIOUS MOMENTS as well as the care and love he puts into the development of each new piece.

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