08.21Michael Guglielmucci admits faking cancer
Michael Guglielmucci was a Pastor from Planetshakers Church in Melbourne. He is known for his stuggle with cancer over the last two years. Earlier this year he released a song, Healer, about his struggle on the latest Hillsong live album. The thing is, he never had cancer. He has admitted to faking his cancer, deceiving 1000s of people including his own family. I find it difficult to imagine how he pulled it off. He may not have cancer - but I’m certain he needs help.
I read it first on Carlos Whittaker’s blog this morning. Adelaide Now and The Australian ran the news this morning. Mark Sayers’ post this afternoon quotes the letter the church leaders sent out to the church with the news. The following is a quote from Sayers I can’t help but agree with:
“I feel a sense of sadness for the guy that he has gotten so low as to get to this level of deception, and grace always abounds. But to be honest I feel more sad for my country today. A country that is so cynical about the gospel, so hardend [sic], and as this story splashes across our media today, millions of Aussies will have another excuse to reject faith. I feel sad for the thousands of young adult believers who now have another excuse to be cynical about their faith. My heart breaks for those people out there who are facing genuine terminal and serious illnesses who found solace and hope in Mike Guglielmucci’s false testimony.”
HOWEVER - even though Australian young people are hardened to the gospel of Jesus, that same gospel has the power to save even the hardest of hearts. I pray it will.
this is devestating…
This song has been a great source of encourgement in my prayers for one of my friends who is chronically ill.
Nevertheless the lyrics he wrote about are still true… it’s just sad that Michael doesn’t seem to have confidence in it. I will be praying his heart knows it with confidence that Jesus is more than enough for him.
I wonder his motivations for pulling the hoax…
August 21st, 2008 at 11:52 pm
you’re right that the lyrics are still true.
i know that human hearts are deceitful above all else (jeremiah 17:9)… but there must be something pretty serious going on inside…
it’s been interesting reading comments on blogs around the place - people are in disbelief… and it sounds like many have taken great comfort through this song and his (false) testimony.
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:38 am
Wow!
That’s the power of testimony. Thankfully we have Jesus, our reliable truth:
John 8:
Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. … I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:07 am
amen to the trustworthiness of Jesus.
we need to be careful when we make heroes of fellow sinners - no matter what - they will always let us down!
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Blog from Mal Fletcher (long term friend of Michael)
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:34 pm
that’s a good article.
some good principles of when any Christian leader falls.
also good stuff on grace.
thanks for linking.
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:52 pm
WOW thats hectic, i remember one of the girls in my youth who went to the hillsong conference this year saying that he told the story of his struggle with cancer and how he came to the Lord through it or something and that she cried through it and many others did too..and now it came it that it was all a hoax thats just insane..
psalm 118:8 says - It is better to trust in the LORD
Than to put confidence in man.
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:25 pm
hey nath - i don’t think you’ve commented for a while… welcome back!
hope you’re well and trusting Jesus.
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:52 pm
hey mate
great to be back on board, i dont think i ive commented on the new website…. i only usually have enough time to read your blogs not comment but i had to make time to comment on this one.
August 23rd, 2008 at 3:31 pm
man this is all too insane… we were thinking about playing this song for church… tomaro… but we all came to a conclusion it wouldnt be right… and that it would be on peoples heads so yeah!!!
August 24th, 2008 at 12:10 am
Mike hasn’t been a Pastor at Planetshakers for almost 2 years now…
August 24th, 2008 at 12:48 am
thanks “truthalwayscounts”
i apologise for incorrect information.
the irony is, the email address you provided is a false one - so i can’t get in contact with you personally!!
August 24th, 2008 at 1:13 am
here is some fresh news from Sunday’s Adelaide newspaper:
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,24230912-5006301,00.html
some comments from his dad - who was shocked that his son had a porn problem!!! the internet people… the internet!
CHRISTIAN YOUNG MEN - GET ACCOUNTABLE - GET OFF THE PORN!!
http://www.covenanteyes.com
http://xxxchurch.com/
August 24th, 2008 at 1:16 am
Dave,
Its interesting that in the article you’ve mentioned above, michael says “I’ve thrown my life into a ministry for many years trying to compensate for my sin”.
I wonder how many in our own churches are in the same situation?
August 24th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
yeah i’m sure there are others.
i think that type of thinking probably comes down to a misunderstanding of the gospel of Jesus. i don’t and can’t compensate for my sin. The good news is that Jesus has dealt with my sin: past; present; and future.
i’m saved by grace, and continue to live by grace.
August 25th, 2008 at 11:05 am
People, wake up and admit that Pastor Michael is nothing but a scum-bag, who callously exploited the most vulnerable for his own psychological kicks and to line his pockets. He is not worthy of your pity or prayers. Ask yourself - has he said sorry to the thousands he gave false hope to? Just how low can a so-called ‘man of God’ stoop? Don’t be another apologist, wimping-out by saying “it’s what he’s said that counts” and “Jesus forgives” etc. That’s a cop-out and exactly the sort of approval (via redemption) he and his multi-million dollar Church now seeks, to admonish his perverted acts. Throw him, and those that harbour him, to the wolves. There’s more vitriol on my web site directed towards this evil-doer [click name above]
August 27th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Hi Paul,
You said:
“wake up and admit that Pastor Michael is nothing but a scum-bag”
Ok I admit that Pastor Michael is a scum-bag
Now I’m going to do something rash:
I admit that I am a scum-bag
I admit that you are a scum-bag
Is that fair?
I’m guessing you’d think not. I’m guessing you would place yourself above Pastor Michael because of the life choices you’ve made as opposed to his.
Looking through your blog and links I notice you are a self-proclaimed atheist.
Question: How can your system of belief make a defined assessment on moral issues?
I can say ‘all people are scum-bags’ and also say ‘certain actions are wrong’ because my belief in a personal God allows for moral convictions.
Christians believe that all people are “evil-doers” as you put it and therefore forgiveness and prayer is consistent with the Christian worldview
August 28th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Hey, I’ve found Father Michael & The Planetshakers new single on You Tube. Simply press my name [ I know you want to] to view. By the way Joe, I’ve never felt the need to expolit dying people for money & fame, unlike ‘the good Pastor’. If I did I would fully expect to face the full force of the Justice system, social rejection, and not prayers from adulising strangers. But I’m guess I’m different than you, wanting some responsibility and ramifications for criminal actions,even if that criminal follows the same God I do. Enjoy the video chaps. Paul.
August 28th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
hey paul - that’s a catchy tune from the murderdolls!! thanks for sharing.
your comments are welcome on this blog… feel free to comment on any of the other posts too.
i agree with you that mike is nothing but a scum-bag
and i’m genuinely sorry to hear that your dad died from lung cancer. i can’t begin to imagine the pain you’ve been through and the added pain of scum-bags faking it.
August 29th, 2008 at 1:45 am
Just a quick comment, im not condoning what Pst Mike did, it saddens me for what he has done and i guess one of the first things people look at including christians is that he lied and made money from it…and this is mainly going out to the christians out there that are looking down on Pst Mike. “HOW MANY TIMES HAVE WE LIED ABOUT BEEN SICK?, HOW MANY TIMES HAVE WE CALLED IN TO WORK SICK, GONE TO THE DOCTOR….GOTTEN A CERTIFICATE AND PRESENTED IT TO OUR EMPLOYER SO THAT WE DONT MISS A DAY OF PAY?!?” yes i know Pst Mike cried out cancer…..but isnt it all the same to God?. selah
September 10th, 2008 at 4:00 pm