MONTREAT, N.C., Nov. 22, 2009 – Sarah Palin and members of her family joined Billy Graham and son, Franklin, for dinner at the evangelist’s home in Montreat this evening.

Franklin had extended an invitation last winter when he and Governor Palin were delivering food to native Alaskan villages along the lower Yukon River. Governor Palin was accompanied today by her parents, Chuck and Sally Heath, her aunt, Katie Johnson, daughter, Piper, and son, Trig.

Following dinner, Mr. Graham issued the following statement:

It was an honor having Governor Palin and her family in our home this evening. I, like many people, have been impressed with her strong commitment to her faith, to family and love of country. I appreciated hearing her speak of her own spiritual journey and her life in Alaska. I shared with her my own memories of preaching in the Sullivan Arena in Anchorage in 1984. 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. Sarah and her family will always be welcome in the Graham home.