Sarah Palin met with evangelist Billy Graham on Sunday at his Montreat, N.C., home for dinner.
The two were joined by Franklin Graham, who had extended the invitation to Palin last winter after the two delivered aid together in Alaska, Anne Graham Lotz, and Palin’s parents, Chuck and Sally Heath, her aunt Katie Johnson, daughter Piper, and son Trig.
During their meeting, the former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee spoke of her spiritual journey and her life in Alaska. Meanwhile, the famed evangelist, who has counseled countless presidents and politicians, shared his memories of preaching in Anchorage, Ala., in 1984.
“It was an honor having Governor Palin and her family in our home this evening,” said Billy Graham in a statement. “I, like many people, have been impressed with her strong commitment to her faith, to family and love of country.”
Franklin Graham told The Charlotte Observer that his father has followed Palin’s career and “likes her strong stand on faith.”
“Daddy feels God was using her to wake America up,” Graham said.
Palin also felt privileged to meet Billy Graham, calling it “a once-in-a-lifetime honor.”
The elder Graham signed Bibles for all of Palin’s family members present for the dinner and signed two for her – one small travel-size Bible and a large New King James version, according to the Observer.
They also prayed together.
“Life in the spotlight is not easy and I pray that whatever lies ahead for this family that their faith in God and His Son, Jesus Christ, would remain strong and that God would put a hedge or protection around her and all those she holds dear,” Graham said.
This was the first time Palin and Billy Graham met.
In February, then Alaska Governor Palin had teamed up with Franklin Graham and the humanitarian group he heads, Samaritan’s Purse, to deliver 44,000 pounds of food to families along the Yukon River who were hit by an unusually harsh winter.
Palin’s stop in Montreat was en route to the next city on her book tour. She is scheduled to stop at Fort Bragg in eastern North Carolina on Monday to promote her memoir, Going Rogue: An American Life.
