In the Winter of 1974, while working at The Dunes Bible Camp in Long Beach, Washington, Neal Curtiss (left), John Buskirk (center), and Jim Huntamer (right) came up with the idea of using Sesame Street style puppets to teach local children bible stories. They realized immediately that the children were drawn into the bible lesson by the puppet character. What started with one puppet purchased at a local department store quickly became much more. The trio developed more characters and lessons straight from the bible to use during the summer camps, and they were an instant hit!

The three felt that God was calling them to an exciting new form of children's ministry so they moved to Vancouver, Washington and eventually launched Friends Puppet Company. With Jim writing quality puppet adventures and Ella Mae Buskirk (John's wife, pictured below left) creating more original puppet characters The Friends started their first year by performing over 400 shows. The next 30 years would see new puppets, puppeteers, and opportunities for Friends to share the Gospel and Christian values. God opened the doors of church ministry with summers full of VBSs and He even took Friends into public schools with years of school assemblies on subjects like bullying, self-esteem, and substance abuse.

In recent years The Friends have teamed with Living Hope Church and other mission outreach organizations to spread the reach and ensure the longevity of their personal ministry. In January 2007, after over 10,000 performances and having led over 13,000 children to Christ, The Friends retired from performing. John and Ella Mae continue to reach out and equip others to do puppet ministry both directly and by continuing to make available their 30+ years of proven puppetry resources.