Over 500 Conservative Christian Leaders to Gather in NYC  

June 21 for Invitation-Only Private Meeting with Trump

WOODSIDE, Calif., May 25, 2016 – United in Purpose and My Faith Votes today jointly announced the collaborative organization of “A Conversation About America’s Future with Donald Trump and Ben Carson,” to be held June 21, 2016 in New York City.

Carson, My Faith Votes honorary chair, will give leadership to a guided discussion between Trump and diverse conservative Christian leaders to better understand him as a person, his position on important issues and his vision for America’s future, while also enabling him to better appreciate matters of importance to the influential and substantial faith community.

“This moment is perhaps the most critical in the history of our nation, and people of faith can make a crucial difference for our children and grandchildren by exercising their civic duty to cast an informed vote based on a biblical worldview,” said Carson. “The goal is that coming out of this meaningful ‘conversation,’ the faith leaders and Mr. Trump will be more informed about each other and would know one another better, and that he would see their unity in seeking God’s direction for the future of America.”

This meeting, closed to media, will be neither a fundraiser nor a political or campaign event, nor will it engage in debate. Carson will open with a brief address on the importance of unity, but apart from participating in dialogue with attendees, Trump is not expected to make formal remarks.

“Christian leaders are deeply concerned about the state of our nation after years of government policies and political correctness that have begun to radically and adversely affect the ability of Christians to live out their faith within America’s political and cultural landscape,” said Bill Dallas, United in Purpose CEO. “Our hope is that as we gather together there can be unity of spirit within the Church in America, even as each individual makes his or her own decisions as to who will be the future leaders in our government.”

Each of the prominent Christian leaders in attendance has their own, diverse opinions, positions and constituencies. Having a direct, private conversation with Trump is a part of the process of hearing and being heard by him about issues of faith that affect all people in the civil arena. The group will not be making any joint or collective endorsements, decisions or statements.

“Our priorities for this meeting are to strengthen relationships and build unity, with an objective to simply have a conversation about the prospects of our nation and the continuing influence of Christian believers and their biblical worldview,” said Sealy Yates, chairman of My Faith Votes. “We wish to talk with specificity to Donald Trump about issues of faith and the role of faith in the civic arena. And, we wish to assure him of our prayers for his family and him. This will be a friendly meeting of people of faith who are genuinely, prayerfully concerned about the future of America.”

Not intended to be political in nature, the June 21 event will be attended by leaders of virtually every one of the nation’s most significant denominations, Christian ministries and policy organizations, as well as many pastors of America’s leading megachurches.

United in Purpose and My Faith Votes are both inclusive non-partisan organizations committed to bringing about cultural change in America based on Judeo-Christian principles and motivating and mobilizing people of faith in the democratic process through responsible citizenship.

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