A South African church has found itself at the centre of a row on social media after a local celebrity said he walked out of what he called a 'homophobic' sermo

#GraceBibleChurch began trending on Twitter after South African TV personality and choreographer Somizi Mhlongo, who is openly gay, posted a video online saying a guest pastor at the Grace Bible Church in Soweto said being gay was "unnatural".

During the sermon Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, from Ghana, reportedly said: "There is nothing like [homosexuality] in nature."

Mhlongo said not only did he find the bishop's words hurtful, but he was disappointed when members of the congregation began to cheer.

Mhlongo's video caused a stir on Twitter with some users criticising the sermon and others supporting its message.

#GraceBibleChurch

In the bible God talks about gay people and he also talks about judging people.

— Prudence Molaudzi (@PruhDee_M) January 22, 2017

Church is a place where truths are spoken, even though it makes a lot of us uncomfortable#Gracebiblechurch

— TRUST (@OrielBagani) January 22, 2017

If you don't agree w what's in the Bible, don't go to church. Pastors are here to preach the word, not to be popular #GraceBibleChurch

— D-the-Diva (@DeeMoney_Diva) January 22, 2017

The church has said that it does not condone homophobia but acknowledges that many people share Bishop Heward-Mills' views.

Church pastor Rev Ezekiel Mathole told local media: "That was not the only thing that he was talking about.

"There are other people who are smokers who were offended because he also referred to a lot of lifestyle issues. And a lot of people who are having multiple partners were very offended."