In 1974 Billy Graham was invited to hold a crusade in Phoenix, Arizona, at a stadium on the campus of Arizona State University. During one of the services, Reverend Tom Claus presented Billy Graham with a ceremonial Native American headdress. Several Indian tribes in the Phoenix area were involved in the preparations for the crusade and chose this occasion to honor Mr. Graham.

Rev. Tom Claus died March 8, 2013. He was a dear friend of Mr. Graham, and gave him credit for the success of his ministry called CHIEF, an acronym for Christian Hope Indian Eskimo Fellowship.