Mutual Admiration: Rev. Billy Graham and Sarah Palin

Sarah Palin was a dinner guest in the home of the Rev. Billy Graham Sunday, as she met with the world renown evangelist and missionary and his son Franklin in North Carolina.

Former Gov. Palin said she wanted to express her appreciation to the elder Graham and seek his guidance on how to spread a positive message, The Asheville Citizen-Times reported:

Palin, the former GOP vice presidential candidate, said she wanted to discuss at dinner with the Montreat-based evangelists how she can contribute to messages that “can be sent to give some hope and some opportunity to people who may be hurting right now.”

“It's a once in a lifetime honor to meet Rev. Billy Graham, who has contributed so much to our world,” she said at the Asheville Regional Airport.

Palin made the surprise stop in Asheville while on her tour promoting her new book, “Going Rogue: An American Life.” She greeted a few fans and supporters with a handshake and smile before making brief remarks with the Rev. Franklin Graham. He greeted her and some family members when her private jet landed.

“I, like many people, have been impressed with her strong commitment to her faith, to family and love of country,” the Rev. Billy Graham said in a statement released after dinner. “We had an opportunity to pray 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 of protection around her and all those she holds dear.”

- JP