Shawn Ketcheson, anti-gay pastor, in Stephen Harper's Israel delegation

Editor's Note: In a note posted on his church's website Jan. 24, Pastor Ketcheson describes this article as a "public attack."  CBC News acknowledges that in putting together the article we did not live up to all facets of our Journalistic Standards and Practices. We did not make enough effort to contact Mr. Ketcheson and give him a chance to answer questions about this story. After initial publication we asked him if he would speak to our reporter. He has declined.

The 208-person "accompanying delegation" travelling with Prime Minister Stephen Harper in the Middle East includes a staunchly anti-gay pastor among a number of religious leaders, according to the list provided by Harper's office.

Shawn Ketcheson, the senior pastor at Trinity Bible Church of Ottawa, is one of the religious leaders accompanying Harper.

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The smaller "official delegation," for whom airfare and accommodation costs are covered, includes 29 MPs, senators and staff, as well as Canadian Ambassador to Israel Vivian Bercovici and three policy advisers.

Ketcheson says on the church's website that he "will not water down the truth about Jesus and the life He brings." In past sermons, he's preached that homosexuality is a sexual perversion, quoting Bible verses.

Ketcheson argues the world is full of sexual perversion ranging from masturbation to sex outside of marriage to gay sex.

"God says one partner, one sex partner for life. That's basically what the word of God says. Basically that's what it says. That's what I get out of it," he said in an Oct. 30, 2011, sermon.

"Lesbianism. Women lying with other women. Scripture says it's wrong ... by the way, if you talk about the word of God as being right and you condemn this, then you're a hate-monger and you should be punished. That's how far we've gone to twisting the word of God," he said.

"The first way the wrath of God is revealed to humanity is as a consequence of sexual impurity, sexual perversion."

Delegates 'do not speak' for government

Harper's spokesman said some of the organizations and community leaders who are on the trip helped choose other delegates.

"In a delegation of this size you will always find different views, including views you do not agree with. Members of the delegation do not speak for the Government of Canada," Jason MacDonald said in an email to CBC News.

All 208 delegation members, plus the official delegation, have their accommodation paid for by the government.

Thirty members of the accompanying delegation have their travel paid for as well as their accommodation. The 31-person official delegation — including Harper and his wife Laureen — travel on the prime minister's plane.

About 30 members of the delegation are religious leaders, while around 50 appear to represent Jewish or other religious organizations in Canada. Many work with religious organizations as well as represent Canadian law firms or businesses.

Ketcheson isn't the only controversial member of the delegation.

It also includes Don Simmonds, chairman of Crossroads Christian Communications. His organization came under fire a year ago over a page on its website calling homosexuality a perversion. The group was getting government funding for work in Uganda, where gays and lesbians are under threat. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni recently blocked a bill passed by parliament that would have jailed gays and lesbians for life.