Christian music veteran Carman has been diagnosed with incurable cancer.

"I have delayed writing this, but those of you I call friends and supporters, who have prayed for me and this ministry need to know about this new battle that lies ahead," the musician and evangelist wrote Thursday, Feb. 14, on his Facebook page. "One week ago, I was diagnosed with myeloma cancer. It is incurable, and I've been given a three- to four-year window of time."

The news comes on the heels of Carman's latest album, Anthems of a Champion, released last month by Sparrow Records/EMI CMG Distribution. Carman, 57, whose full name is Carmelo Domenic Licciardello, is known for concerts, that "are more like a rock 'n' roll Billy Graham crusade than a Christian music event," his website noted.

Carman wrote that he will go in for his first bone biopsy this week.

"I used to go to movies in the afternoon, now I go see doctors," he said. "I want to put an end to all the rumors. I ask for your prayers. I want you all to know that I will continue to minister and win souls until I can't do it any longer. My life has always been about ministry. I have a call of God to touch lives with the gospel of Jesus Christ, and that's what I will do until the Lord calls me home."

Carman, who released his first album in 1980, asked his Facebook followers not to fill his page with cancer treatment remedies, but encouraged them to come to his concerts.

"Bring someone who doesn't know the Lord or who needs to be healed," he wrote. "I will always pray for the sick, and I'm also going to step up the intensity of my message at these events. I will not leave this world quietly, and I want the devil to know that he put cancer on absolutely the wrong Italian."

"I have a few good years, and before it's too late, I want to see your faces, shake your hands and hug your necks," Carman added. "But mostly I want to see one of you get healed of what threatens your future, and I really want to see someone you love come to Christ. Now let's get back to business. We have to work while it's day for soon the night comes."

Click here for more information on Carman's concert tour.

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