First Todd Bentley, Now Michael Guglielmucci

[EagerBeaver]

When does it end? Sad news for each of us that has either sung or listened to the Hillsong track "Healer."

This from the Australian:

HE preached to thousands about his terminal illness and tugged at hearts with a hit song.

The problem is the pastor wasn't dying at all

Michael Guglielmucci, who inspired hundreds of thousands of young Christians with his terminal cancer "battle", has been exposed as a fraud.

Guglielmucci, whose parents established Edge Church International, an Assemblies of God church at O'Halloran Hill in Adelaide's southern suburbs, now is seeking professional help.

Earlier this year, Mr Guglielmucci released a hit song, Healer , which was featured on Sydney church Hillsong's latest album.

The song debuted at No. 2 on the ARIA charts.

It since has become an anthem of faith for believers, many of whom are suffering their own illness and were praying for a miracle for Mr Guglielmucci, who has claimed for two years to be terminally ill.

In one church performance that has attracted 300,000 hits on YouTube, he performs his hit song with an oxygen tube in his nose.

It appears Mr Guglielmucci, who was a pastor with one of Australia's biggest youth churches, Planetshakers, may even have deceived his own family.

"This news has come as a great shock to everyone including, it seems, his own wife and family," Hillsong general manager George Aghajanian said in an email to his congregation yesterday.

"Michael has confirmed that he is not suffering with a terminal illness and is seeking professional help in Adelaide with the support of his family. We are asking our church to pray for the Guglielmucci family during this difficult time."

The Advertiser was told last night Mr Guglielmucci may release a statement on the situation.

The Australian Christian Church said Mr Guglielmucci's credentials immediately were suspended once he told the national executive that his cancer claims were "untrue".

"The national executive is taking this matter very seriously and is awaiting the results of medical tests before determining the full extent of the discipline that will be imposed upon him," vice president Alun Davies said.

"We are very concerned for the many people who have been or will be hurt by Michael's actions.

"We encourage all of our churches to pray for all those affected."

Guglielmucci could certainly use some TRUE healing about now, eh?

[MrDanger]

Definitely a sad situation.

Weird, I was just listening to the song.

[MrDanger]

www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,2 ... 87,00.html

Apparently there is more going on with this guys life. This is sad, especially the ministries that he and his family are involved with (their own church, Planetshakers, Assemblies of God, Hillsong, etc) are going to be tainted by the actions of a very sick man. Sad.

[DaJudge]

Sounds like he is a very mentally ill person. Very sad.

[MacUser]

Praying for him and his family.

[EagerBeaver]

Hillsong has removed the Youtube video of his testimony citing a copyright claim.

I've never seen that video, and am trying to dig it up. Apparently he wore an oxygen tube during his worship performances too.

EDIT: Here it is.

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/stor ... 01,00.html

[MrDanger]

Thats how I was introduced to the song was the youtube video

[paul]

Just a thought. Is this deception any less or worse than that of Bentley ?

Either way two more have fallen. But the god news is that Christ never gives up on any one, and their is always hope.. That is the real message.

[EagerBeaver]

Just a thought. Is this deception any less or worse than that of Bentley ?

Nah but I heard that my local Applebee's will be interviewing them both for jobs in the kitchen. Apparently they make really good Kool-Aid and Applebee's is hoping to cash in on their combined power.

:):)

[MrDanger]

Just a thought. Is this deception any less or worse than that of Bentley ?

Are you saying mental illness is the cause of Bentley's deceptions in ministry? Because that seems to be the issue for this other gentleman.

[DaJudge]

I have no sympathy for Bentley. He simply got caught with his britches down.

I don't feel good about piling on this Australian guy though. He apparently has had serious psychological issues from childhood. I hope he gets the help he needs.

[pastorables]

Just a thought. Is this deception any less or worse than that of Bentley ?

Are you saying mental illness is the cause of Bentley's deceptions in ministry? Because that seems to be the issue for this other gentleman.

Both could be demonically influenced. Remember the demoniac in the tombs who was found clothed and "in his right mind" after Jesus came? To me, I see both deceptions as spiritually intwined.

pa

[TC]

to me it makes the song that much stronger. To me it is more him pouring out his heart seeking healing from his own sickness. We did just did not know what that was.

I know someone that had sin in their life and tried so hard to hide it that the guilt ate him alive. He believed he had every disease known to man. He lost his hair, dropped close to 100 pounds and looke like he was full of cancer. The Docs could tell something was wrong by the looks of him but for years could not find anything

Yes It is sad for him and his family but at the same time his song has touched many people and given them stregnth. The Bible says, the word will not go out and come back void. I like to think the Word in song is the same way.