LA MIRADA, Calif. – An apostate former Southern Baptist pastor, who endorsed homosexuality in a recent sermon, has been invited to attend a ‘gay pride’ reception at the White House with President Obama.

As previously reported, Danny Cortez leads New Heart Community Church in southern California. Earlier this year, Cortez surprised his Baptist congregation by declaring that he has accepted a pro-homosexual position.

“This is a huge step for a Southern Baptist church!!” Cortez ecstatically wrote in a letter to a Patheos blogger. “So now, we will accept the LGBT community even though they may be in a relationship. We will choose to remain the body of Christ and not cast judgment.”

In his letter, Cortez further explained that his 15-year-old son came out as “gay” soon after he changed his mind on the homosexuality issue.

Following Cortez’s homosexuality-affirming sermon on February 9, the leaders of New Heart Community Church decided to not dismiss him from the preaching position, instead voting to part ways from the Southern Baptist Convention and become a “third way” congregation.

Now, according to reports, Cortez and his son have been invited to attend a reception at the White House as a result of their pro-homosexual position. An online fundraising campaign organized by friends of the Cortez family explains the details of the situation.

“As you know, the Cortez family has recently been under fire for reaching out to those in the LGBT community, who have been marginalized far too long,” the page states. “And while their actions have come at a great price, the Cortezes are at peace; they know this cause is more important now than ever.”

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“In light of the recent events, of his standing in the gap of our LGBT brothers and sisters, Danny and Drew have been formally invited to a reception with the President at the White House in Washington, D.C.” the fundraising page explains. “… This will take place on June 30.”

The “reception” mentioned on the fundraising page appears to be a special White House event celebrating LGBT Pride Month. According to sources, both President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will be present at the event, scheduled to take place Monday at 4:30 p.m.

Several people congratulated Cortez and his son on the upcoming trip to the nation’s capital.

“I’m so proud of the work you are doing on behalf of all of our families!” one commenter wrote.

“Wow! Such an amazing opportunity!” another person wrote. “So proud and thankful for you guys.”

However, others expressed dismay at this latest development, citing the Bible’s explicit condemnations of homosexuality

“Not only is [Cortez] defying church doctrine, he is also calling God a liar,” one commenter argued. “If he does not repent of this it will not go well for him and those who support him. God will not be mocked!”

“God loves all people, but not all behaviors,” another stated. “The pastor should know better.”

“[Cortez] provides no biblical justification for his change of view,” a third alleged. “Needless to say the reason for that is that there is no biblical support for his change of view. And, in fact, … the Bible condemns all the sexual practices of homosexuality regardless of the context they are engaged in.”

Photo: YouTube