During the question-and-answer section, Trump answered questions about standard conservative issues, according to White. She said James Dobson, the founder of Focus on the Family, opened by saying that “out of 50,000 questions that were submitted for this event, the number one question was about religious liberty.” Trump’s answer: “Number one, we will appoint pro-life, conservative, Supreme Court Justices.” David Jeremiah, the mega-church pastor from California, asked about his stance on Israel.

But a number of other topics also came up. Ronnie Floyd, the recent president of the Southern Baptist Convention, asked how Trump will address crime, poverty, and racial tension. Another Latino leader asked how Trump will protect the borders—while building a bridge with the Hispanic community. His answers were consistent with the things he’s said throughout the campaign—he emphasized keeping communities and borders secure. “There wasn’t a clear answer on how he would build a bridge and reach the Latino population,” White said.

These questions represent real tensions between Trump’s campaign and conservative Christians. Immigrants and Latinos increasingly make up the populations of evangelical denominations around the country. Many denominations, including Floyd’s Southern Baptist Convention, are pushing to welcome Hispanics into their churches and create racial reconciliation with African Americans. At times, Trump’s rhetoric seems to cut directly against these efforts.

For these and other reasons, some conservative Christians remain unwilling to entertain the possibility of endorsing his candidacy. Russell Moore, the head of the Southern Baptist Convention’s political arm, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, who has strongly criticized Trump, was out of the country during the meeting, and none of the Commission’s staffers attended the event. Progressive Christians, including the Sojourners founder Jim Wallis, have pushed back on Trump’s “bigotry,” and have emphasized that this gathering does not represent all evangelicals—a term that encompasses people of many different denominations, political views, and even religious beliefs.

And yet, some Christians at the meeting seemed persuaded by what Trump had to say. “I liked the fact that leaders that I have great respect for—Mike Huckabee, Dr. Ben Carson, Ronnie Floyd, David Jeremiah, Dr. Dobson, many of those who posed questions today—they seemed very pleased with what they’re hearing, not only on the floor today, but behind the scenes,” White said.

“Hearing these men, who I really respect, testify to the fact that they really believe that Donald Trump is a Christian—maybe not of the kind you and I are, or maybe, they didn’t say this, not as far along in his development as a Christian … I think that’s a pretty bold statement,” said Jackson in his call. Several Christian broadcasters joining the call with Jackson emphasized the one question on their minds at the meeting: Is Trump really a Christian?

Perhaps this meeting will be enough to persuade them that’s the case. “I think it’s strengthened my view of him. I’ve gone back and forth,” said White. Eric Metaxas, the radio-show host, called the conversation “eye-opening.”

But it’s also possible that conservative Christians will leave this meeting in the way they entered it: divided on the question of Trump. “Just got back from Trump’s ‘conversation’ with evangelicals,” tweeted the Fox News personality Todd Starnes. “No mention of Jesus.”

We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor or write to letters@theatlantic.com.