One man’s years-long search for spiritual truth — through Brahma Kumaris, Islam and Hare Krishna — led him to an unexpected encounter with Jesus in a Bible shop in Southern Africa.
On a bright and ordinary workday at a bookshop, Vikash* walked in. He approached Julie* who leads OM in the southern African nation and asked for a Bible. Assuming Vikash was already a Jesus follower, Julie eagerly displayed the various Bibles available in the store. But before she could continue, Vikash interrupted her. With a quiet sincerity, he admitted that he knew nothing about the Bible.
Born into a Hindu family, Vikash wanted to practise his religion well, so he got involved in Brama Kumari. The Brahma Kumaris is a Hindu global spiritual movement (also known as Brahma Baba) in Hyderabad and Sindh (now in Pakistan), and is dedicated to personal transformation and world renewal through spiritual education and meditation. Vikash spent a few years journeying with this movement, but deep within himself, he was not satisfied; there was still an emptiness and yearning for more.
He then decided to join Islam for a couple of years, thinking that perhaps there he would finally find what was missing in his life. But he didn’t find anything in the mosque either.
Next, he joined the Hare Rama Hare Krishna group. For 10 years, he focused on devotion to Krishna through practices such as chanting the Hare Krishna mantra and studying sacred texts, trying his best to find contentment. Yet, the emptiness remained.
In 2025, Vikash came across a Christian song on YouTube that deeply touched him. He could not help but listen to the song that brought him peace. One day, Vikash decided that he wanted Jesus in his life and removed all the idols from his house. Though he wanted to know Jesus, he wasn't sure where to go. When he remembered the Bible shop in the capital city, he thought that would be a good place to ask questions. There, he met Julie.
Julie took time to go through the Word of God with Vikash, showing him how all men are born sinners and fall short of the glory of God and answering his many questions. Together, they went through John 3 and read in Romans.
Julie explained the importance of acknowledging sin and believing that Jesus had died on the cross for Vikash because He loved him so much. Because there were other customers in the shop, Vikash didn’t want to pray, but he said that he would do it in the comfort of his home. He was glad to find some of the answers to his questions and left the shop with a Bible and From Guru to God by Michael Graham.
Saved
In May 2025, Vikash visited the shop again. When he walked in, Julie was busy with customers, but Remi*, another worker, greeted him. From a distance, Julie could see Vikash looked happy as he showed Remi something on his cellphone’s screen. When Remi excitedly said: "Good, this is very good!" Julie’s curiosity grew, and after finishing with her customers, she quickly went to greet Vikash. Vikash told her that he had been reading his Bible, and God showed him Romans 10:9-10 "If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved" (NIV).
“I have prayed this verse,” said Vikash with his eyes twinkling.
Vikash found what he had been searching for for years and encountered the living God. Interestingly, God showed Vikash the same verse that Julie had shared with him when he first visited the shop. God revealed Himself to Vikash through His Word!
Pray for those practising Hinduism to encounter the true God, just as God revealed Himself to Vikash. May many more come to know Jesus, who is the way, the truth and the life. Pray for people to be set free from spiritual bondage and let Jesus come into their lives. Pray for the Church to have the boldness, wisdom and cultural sensitivity as they reach out to their neighbours.
*name changed