This came as a big blow to many Christians, including me. Mike Gugliemucci has confessed and both Planet Shakers and Hillsong Church have confirmed that his illness for the past two years were fake.
Here is the excerpt of the news.
FORMER Adelaide pastor who inspired hundreds of thousands of young Christians with his terminal cancer "battle" has been exposed as a fraud.
In one church performance that has attracted 300,000 hits on YouTube, he performs his hit song with an oxygen tube in his nose. The clip was pulled late last night by YouTube with the advice "video no longer available."
It appears that Mr Guglielmucci, who was a pastor with one of Australia's biggest youth churches, Planetshakers, may have even 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."
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HOW TO DEAL WITH IT?
I don't even know myself. I've been blessed so much through the songs that he wrote especially "The Healer" and even witnessed his testimonial live when I was in Hillsong last month.
It came as a big blow.. I was in disbelief and so shocked that someone that I had admired all along was a fake.
My only decision (and I hope for all of us too) is NOT TO JUDGE. Matthew 7:1-4 says:
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?
Everyone makes a mistake, everyone sins. It takes courage to confess especially when the consequences is so huge. Mike's decision might bring such a negative impact to his life/family, to his friends and to all people.. but he had to do it.. and I personally appreciate his honesty. I don't even think I could have the courage to do what he had to do.. and I believe most of us don't.
And to all Christians out there.. I believe this is the time to learn how to forgive and not to condemn. To practice what we preach and what we learn.
Will I still listen and be blessed with his song? I decided to say yes. Why should I refuse something that can bless and encourage me? I believe that even through sinners, God is able to bring miracles.
If there was no Saul, there would be no Paul.
Blessings.
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