On Hillsong “Healer” Songwriter Lying About His Illness
Found out this morning the news that is quickly circulating around the Internet - namely that Michael Guglielmucci, the author of the worship song “Healer”, lied about his terminal illness. It’s incredible to me and one of those things that you try to keep yourself from believing. The story broke in the Australian media today and while Integrity music has made no statement, the previous “Healer” website that they were using in marketing has been taken down.
For those unfamiliar with the song or the (now untrue) story… Michael said he had been battling a terminal illness. During a particularly tough visit to the doctor, he returned to his home and wrote the worship song. The latest Hillsong release, This Is Our God, is a live recording & DVD which features the story, culminating in Michael taking stage with an oxygen mask to sing the song. Before the album release, the Healer video had been a viral hit. The popular YouTube video has been removed as of last night. You can still watch it here: “Healer” - Incredible Video from Hillsong
This is so sad to me. So much had been made of the story in marketing the song & album that I’m afraid the song, which is powerful & truth in its own right, is going to be tainted because of the lies. Sad as well because it’s hard for me to comprehend why the deception had to happen in the first place. I don’t know if we’ll ever know why he felt he had to do what he did.
I pray that he is healed - not of the physical illness he presented himself as suffering from, but from the spiritual illness that deception reaps in our hearts & lives. I pray for his family, friends & church - most, if not all, of whom it sounds like were deceived as well. And I pray that God will deliver grace on this song, that He will redeem it for His glory, and that the lies will point us all to the place where we realize just how much we need the true healing power of the cross.
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Chris shared their voice on 08.20.2008:
Sabrina shared their voice on 08.20.2008:
This is so upsetting to me. I love Hillsong and just believe that the church is anointed with God’s power. The insight through your prayer for them is inspiring to me though..I loved that you said:
“I pray that God will deliver grace on this song, that He will redeem it for His glory, and that the lies will point us all to the place where we realize just how much we need the true healing power of the cross.” So true.
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Rene shared their voice on 08.20.2008:
our worship leader at super summer claimed to be good friends with this guy. he talked for almost an hour about how God is really healing michael and working through the powerful lyrics. hmmm… perplexing. no matter the story behind it, i’ll still be listening to “healer”—it’s an amazing song!