Trump Meets With Evangelical Leaders This was a fascinating day in New York City as over 1000 Christian leaders from all over the U.S. gathered to ask Donald Trump tough specific questions about his policy and intentions should he be elected POTUS.
The event organizers originally requested Dallas, Texas as a middle-of-the-nation location to hold a get-some-private-time with Trump event, hoping to attract some 200-300 national Christian leaders. But the only opening on Trump’s schedule was in NYC for 30 minutes, 30 days out. So they took it
A screening committee, scouring the Internet, sent out invitations to about 1000 Christian leaders. Because the high expense of flying into and staying in NYC, and the date less than 30 days away, they reserved a room for only 100 people at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square.
Each person who accepted the invitation then had to be vetted, and ultimately ok’ed by the Secret Service. Once cleared, you were notified by phone. I got two sets of phone questions about my work with Compass and when finally approved, had 10 days to make plans. (I’m sure I was at the end of the list!!)
But despite receiving the late notices, the response to attend was off-the-charts. Almost everyone they invited accepted the invitation. And some who were left off the original list apparently lobbied forinclusion. Ultimately there were over 1000 who hastily changed their schedules to attend.
The security was tight for the 7 AM opening for registrants. I stood in long lines for an hour, passing through three check points before finally getting through Secret Service security.
Once I finally got to my seat at my table I was astonished to be sitting next to a sharp-as-a tackAuburn grad who is married to another Auburn grad and lives in Vestavia, Alabama where I grew up. She’s a registered lobbyist who worked for George Bush (W) when she first got out of Auburn. War Eagle to that one!
Also at my table was a Congressional candidate from North Carolina, a Christian TV station owner from Florida and the Chairman of the Board of the Washington Times. There were about four past Steeling conference speakers in the room, that I noticed. Probably more I didn’t see.
After opening remarks by the conference organizers, Jerry Falwell Jr. spoke, then Franklin Graham. Both attested to the authenticity of Donald Trump.
George Barna, the polling guy, spoke. Using several charts he showed that Trump has a genuine path to victory if Christians vote. But in the last Presidential election, some 40 million evangelicals stayed home and that was literally the difference in the election.
Then Ben Carson spoke for about 20 minutes. His easy and soft-spoken style easily warmed the crowd. He referred to the fact that Trump had a bad three weeks, and Clinton had a good three weeks and yet the race is still close, virtually tied. But his main point was that Trump is a proven leader. He’s certainly not a politician who’s always worried about offending someone. And that’s what we need, a leader, not a politician.
Next came Huckabee, who moderated the discussion between the crowd and Trump. Before introducing Trump, he made the point that we’re not voting on a pastor or a Pope, but rather a leader. A leader who is quite different from the past in order to change things from the status quo.
So the day was set that this was not about Trump’s Christian knowledge or virtues, but rather where Trump wants to take the country. And where we’re headed if Trump is not elected.
The biggest concern centered around the Supreme Court. The next President will appoint anywhere from one to five members. The Second Amendment, freedom of religion, prayer in public places, etc.will likely be settled by the next President’s appointees.
When Donald Trump was introduced, he didn’t speak from the podium but rather sat next to Huckabee on the stage fielding questions from the crowd for about 90 minutes. So much for the 30 minutes originally allotted. There was no press allowed inside, so it was just Trump and the Christian leaders talking back and forth.
The really big Christian leader names got to directly ask Trump questions from the floor— i.e. people like James Dobson, Ralph Reed, Tony Perkins, etc. Most felt religious liberty was at stake with this election, saying that if the policies Obama has set in place are allowed to continue, Christians will eventually have no freedom to worship. Harassment of Christian organizations would continue.
Through it all, Trump answered each of their questions with solid answers, both acknowledging the problem cited and how he would take care of the problem. He seemed to be genuinely concerned about changing the direction of the nation.
He addressed many subjects including the Supreme Court, national defense, border problems, Christian persecution, his pro-life stance, Israel, healthcare, education. and energy.
I would say that most of those who attended who were not sure if they would vote for him, left convinced of how much is at stake in this election if Trump is not elected.
After Trump left, to a standing ovation, more questions were taken from the audience addressed to a panel of Christian leaders. Things like the weakening of the military, Christian business rights, etc. were discussed at length.
I have to say, we pretty much all came away thinking that if Clinton, or any Democrat, is elected, the path this nation is currently on will continue and WILL lead to disaster. If we don’t turn the ship now, we’re headed to be like socialized Europe— religion pushed out of everyday life and a financial disaster getting worse by the month. Even reaching problems like what’s going on in Argentina, where they are currently literally fighting for food, is not out of the realm of possibilities. It’s that bad. Don’t think it can’t happen here.
At the end of the day was prayer. With few exceptions, the entire room knelt on the floor in corporate prayer for our nation. I took the opportunity to take a quick picture of that sight, some 1000 people in their Sunday clothes on the ground praying together. Who knows where this will lead. Maybe….
So, the bottom line for me is that I love this country and our Constitution more than I dislike Trumps antics and ego. He will attempt to change the direction that Godless liberals and their propaganda-media have led this nation. With Trump we have a chance. With Clinton we have no chance. Be thankful we still have a chance and VOTE this fall.
