'My work on earth isn't done yet' Two evangelists on facing serious illness, praying for healing and divine joy

Evangelists Carl Beech and Steve Legg have been friends for more than 20 years. They have pioneered ministries and travelled the world telling people about Christ. Earlier this year, Carl was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson’s disease, while Steve was told the cancer he’s been battling meant he had just five months to live. They discuss chronic illness and terminal diagnoses, their different attitudes to healing and facing the future – whatever it holds – with joy

Carl Beech (pictured, right): During the pandemic, I was on the patio doing kettlebells and I had really bad shoulder pain. Being a bloke, I ignored it. Anyway, fast forward a few years and I started developing strange spasms. I noticed that my arm wasn’t swinging when I walked. Long story short, I went to see a doctor, and [was diagnosed with] young onset Parkinson’s disease (YOPD). It is so rare that only 14,000 people out of the 67 million in the country have got it. I’ve lost 80 per cent of the dopamine neurons in my brain, and they’re continuing to die. It is an incurable disease. That’s my story. What about yours, Steve?

Steve Legg (pictured, left): Nearly two years ago, my wife noticed…