We must agree to differ on people's views, says Pastor Ezekiel Mathole on 'homophobic' debacle

Grace Bible Church spokesperson Pastor Ezekiel Mathole has come out strongly to condemn any form of discrimination, however welcomed the debate created by Ghanian-born Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, during a sermon where he labelled homosexuality as "disgusting".

TV and radio personality Somizi Mhlongo cast the sermon into the spotlight after he stormed out of the church service on Sunday, and lashed out at the church over the "discrimination."

The guest pastor was invited to the Grace Bible Church in Soweto, where he delivered a sermon on a variety of issues including homosexuality.

Heward-Mills described homosexuality as "sinful"‚ "unnatural" and "disgusting".

• WATCH: Somizi blasts Grace Bible Church after homosexuality labelled 'disgusting' Idols SA judge Somizi Mhlongo has lashed out at churches in the country after he felt “discriminated” against at a service at Grace Bible Church on Sunday.  

Speaking to TshisaLIVE  on Monday afternoon in the wake of the controversy, Pastor Mathole said that the Bishop's views weren't the churches views.

"Gay people are welcome at our church, that's why they were there. We don't discriminate against anyone. It is in our constitution that people are not discriminated against because of their sexual orientation," he said.

Pastor Mathole said the Bishop's views were his and needed to be respected. "The bishop's views are not our views. People should respect his views and agree to differ on those views," Mathole added.

• 'Sermon offended a lot of people‚ not just homosexuals' - Church defends controversial sermonThe Grace Bible Church may not share the anti-homosexual views of Ghanaian-born Bishop Dag Heward-Mills‚ but it defended his right to share them in a sermon. 

The clergyman went on to add that he believed such debate was important in "creating a healthy democracy".

"It is important that we discuss these views without name calling and discrimination. It is important for a healthy church, a healthy democracy and a healthy society," he said.

Meanwhile, Idols SA judge and radio personality Somizi, who attends the church on a regular basis stormed out of the service on Sunday after feeling "discriminated."

Somizi lashed out at the church saying he believed God created him to be who he is.

"I am not going to sit here and listen to someone offend me. This is who I am. I am a gay man. Get it straight into your skull…I will remain gay for the rest of my life. Let God deal with me," he said.

Somizi called on all churches in the country to make it clear if gay people weren't allowed at their insitutions.

Watch the moment that caused Somizi to storm out here: