Aussie Hillsong pastor who faked having cancer to hide a porn habit starts charity for the homeless

A disgraced Hillsong singer who faked a cancer diagnosis for two years to hide his porn addiction has set up a charity for the homeless after receiving a call from God. 

Michael Guglielmucci, 43, rose to prominence in Adelaide’s Christian community as a leading preacher and member of the Hillsong United band.  

But in 2008, the father-of-three confessed to faking a cancer diagnosis to hide an addiction to pornography in an executive meeting of Australian Christian Churches. 

The preacher had taken to wearing an oxygen tube while on stage, often playing to thousands of supporters who thought he was fighting a terminal illness. 

Reformed Hillsong pastor Michael Guglielmucci, 43, (pictured) has started a charity in Port Adelaide after receiving a call from God

Twelve years later, the disgraced preacher has reemerged as the director of the Lighthouse City Mission Incorporated charity based in Port Adelaide. 

Mr Guglielmucci said God had called on him to build a community that cared for and supported the homeless, asylum seekers and the chronically and terminally ill.  

‘We believe He has called us to resign our roles at Edge Church, sell our home, relocate to The Port and start serving the people of Port Adelaide,’ he said. 

The charity cites its mission as providing food, clothing, and a community of support for people who need it in Port Adelaide. 

In 2008 the Christian preacher faked a cancer diagnosis to hide his 16-year-long addiction to pornography, pictured: Michael Guglielmucci, (left) with his father Danny (right)

On his personal Instagram account, Mr Guglielmucci posted photos from the charity’s latest food delivery and asked his 900 followers to continue to pray.

‘This is so much more than just food. Sharing these meals with people in our community that reach out for support is opening so many doors to conversation and transformation.  

‘Our prayer is that every meal we cook will one day be the first chapter in a miracle story.’

The reformed preacher also shares videos of him and his wife singing their original songs such as ‘Forever God Reigns’ and ‘Fill Me Again’. 

Guglielmucci and his wife post videos singing original songs such as ‘Forever God Reigns’ and ‘Fill Me Again’ after he said God asked if they would ‘sing over the city’ of Port Adelaide

He told followers on social media that one of the questions God asked of him when he was called to Port Adelaide was if he would ‘sing over the city’. 

‘So everyday we open the windows of our worship space (which overlooks a busy footpath on a major street in Port Adelaide) and sing,’ he wrote. 

It was his motivational hit single ‘Healer’ that Mr Guglielmucci sang while tens of thousands of followers, friends and family thought he was dying of cancer. 

The YouTube video which shows him belting the song out with an oxygen tube attached to his nose has been viewed almost seven million times.

In a church statement at the time, the pastor said the stress of living a double life would cause his body to break down and admitted his diagnosis had been a sham. 

Mr Guglielmucci said God had called on him to build a community that cared for and supported vulnerable communities, leading to the creation of  Lighthouse City Mission

‘I would report my symptoms simply as illnesses but the truth is… I did not have cancer, but used a misdiagnosis to hide the lie that I was living.’

Starting a new chapter in Port Adelaide, the Christian preacher says he has learnt from his mistakes.

‘Thirteen years ago, after the reality of my brokenness was made public, our marriage went through a time of separation,’ he told the Daily Telegraph. 

‘I am so aware of the pain that my past decisions have caused others and I will never run and hide from that. 

‘We believe people are more than the mistakes they make… everyone is worthy of being loved and supported.’