From the website of InterTribal Life.org:
PHOENIX, Ariz.—This year, CHIEF, Inc. marks its 50th anniversary of dedicated service to Native American and First Nations communities. Founded in 1975, at the request of reknowned evangelist Billy Graham, who had a burden for Native Americans, CHIEF was established by Mohawk leader Tom Claus as a ministry focused on discipling and training Native Christian leadership to impact their communities for God.
“Reaching this milestone is a testament to God’s grace, which has enabled the deep relationships we have built with Native communities and made the unwavering dedication of our entire team, supporters, and ministry partners possible,” said Huron Claus, President of CHIEF and son of founder Tom Claus.
Since its founding, CHIEF has remained dedicated to evangelism, discipleship, leadership training, and service-working alongside Native leaders throughout North, Central and South America to foster spiritual growth, provide biblical education, and create lasting community impact.
Highlights of the years have included Tom and Huron Claus representing all Native First Nation tribes, standing on stage to welcome, pray and offer exhortation before an estimated one million men at the 1997 Promise Keepers/Stand in the Gap event, and in 2021, Huron representing Native Americans at the 400th anniversary of the landing at Plymouth Rock, where he led chiefs from major tribes before a crowd of 200,000 at the second-largest televised parade in history. Since 1987, CHIEF has hosted Native Women’s Conferences in Phoenix or on reservations. This effort has brought together women from reservations across North America to receive encouragement and be equipped and empowered through biblical teachings, fellowship, and activities.
CHIEF’s regional and international work continues to grow. In July 2024, CHIEF partnered with the Center of Indian Ministries to host the United in Christ Conference in Minnesota, bringing together over 300 Native pastors, ministry leaders, and missionaries to focus on church growth and discipleship across North America. In March 2025, Claus hosted a School Without Walls and BUILD leadership program among the Flathead Reservation in Kalispell, Montana.
Over the past half-century, the organization has partnered with indigenous leaders, churches, and ministries.
“I have learned so much about life and ministry through the example of Tom and Huron Claus and the ministry of CHIEF over the past 40 years,” said Patrick McClung, Commanche pastor and business leader. “At first, I thought I was the only Native Christian leader, but CHIEF introduced me to tribal leaders who are bringing hope and purpose to their communities through the love of Jesus Christ.”
Others who have been reached by CHIEF have become part of the ministry, developing and inspiring other leaders. For instance, David Tso, a Navajo leader, served his tribe for over 40 years as a business supervisor. After seminary, his desire to train and counsel young men led him to intern with CHIEF. Huron Claus sent him to serve as a mentor and teacher to several tribes, including in Alaska in 2024 and Uganda in 2025. David’s passion is to help Native churches on a national level, exploring effective new approaches to strengthen the Native Church. And the outreach of CHIEF continues.
“It has been a joy to serve as Chairman of the Board of CHIEF and witness the many tribes and nations impacted over the years,” said Arlan Melendez, Paiute, Shoshone, Washoe, and former chairman of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony. “CHIEF’s work is truly transformative.”
To commemorate this historic occasion of the 50th Anniversary, CHIEF hosted Celebrate Phoenix, in March, 2025, in Arizona, bringing together Native community members, mission partners, and supporters for a time of celebration, testimony, thanksgiving, and storytelling.
In July and August 2025, CHIEF will collaborate with Korean churches to serve the Federated Tribes in Omak, Washington, focusing on care for the elderly and children’s ministry through VBS efforts. And in August, the CHIEF ministry team will join the Luis Palau Evangelistic Association in Reno, Nevada, to minister among the Washoe and Paiute Nations of Hungry Valley.
To commemorate the 50 years of ministry, CHIEF will also host Celebrate Chicago, on October 2, 2025, at Midwest Bible Church in Chicago, Illinois, focusing on the development of young Native Christian leadership. CHIEF will also be hosted at Wheaton College and Judson University that week for chapels and student engagement.
The final celebration will be held in Washington, DC, on November 7, 2025, at the Museum of the Bible during Native American Heritage Month. The emphasis of this gathering will be The Impact of the Bible in Indigenous Nations of the Americas.
“As we celebrate 50 years, we also look ahead to the future, reaffirming our commitment to honoring Christ in our Native context while sharing the love and hope that have been at the heart of our work-to strengthen the Native Christian church with biblical faith and to see an effective Christian witness in every Native First Nations tribe in this generation,” said Claus.
All are welcome to attend the anniversary events. For more information about these or about CHIEF, please visit: http://www.chief.org.
CHIEF is celebrating their 50th anniversary of ministry this year.
Great time of worship and fellowship.
CHIEF Participants enjoy the CHIEF 50th. anniversary celebration in Phoenix.
