Growing up in a performance-based culture and having experienced sexual abuse, Velu turned to addictive behavior patterns as a coping mechanism. His repeated and frequent pleas to Hindu gods for freedom from these behaviors fell on deaf ears.
When he moved to the US to get his master’s in electrical engineering, his habits followed him. With no Hindu temple nearby, living directly across the street from a Baptist church, and believing all religions lead to the same God, he began attending church on a regular basis.
Velu said, “I loved the message, I loved the worship, I loved the people, but I had an issue when the pastor would give an altar call at the end quoting John 14:6, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”
With frustration, he pondered how 800 million Hindus in the world (at the time) could be wrong. How could the pastor say that Jesus is the only way?
The Holy Spirit, through the welcoming nature of the church members, kept drawing him back. Months later, Velu met Vikki at their workplace.
Vikki’s family had deep roots within ministry. Her grandparents were church planters in Austin, Texas. She grew up in the church and came to know Christ at an early age.
While working together, Velu and Vikki became friends. On one occasion, Vikki distinctively remembers God saying to her, “I have my hand on Velu’s life.”
Vikki committed to pray for Velu from that day forward and follow the Holy Spirit’s leading.
Five years later, after wrestling though Christianity’s “exclusive” nature and comparing it to Hinduism’s “inclusivity,” Velu was on the brink of salvation. He craved the freedom the gospel offered from his addictions.
In December 1997, Velu took the leap of faith and entrusted his life to Christ. His life was transformed; he turned away from idol worship and, by the grace of God, found victory over the power of sin.
Velu and Vikki were married less than two years later. God used Velu’s heart for the lost to burden Vikki too. Originally, she had little desire to go into missions, but as she watched Velu’s passion for the mission field grow, her attitude toward the nations changed.
They sat on the missions committee at their church, partnered with missionaries, and went on many mission trips.
Their church supports Sharon and Doug Martin, Vice President of Strategic Initiative Development and Executive Director of EveryEthne. This summer, Doug recruited Vikki and Velu to lead EveryEthne’s Heart, Mind, and Soul seminar for Hindus, a ministry reaching the Hindu diaspora in North America, the Caribbean, and other parts of the world. Velu will also be partnering with churches and equipping believers to cross cultures without crossing borders.
Support the Kadirvels’ ministry here. You can also hear Velu share his story on The Missions Podcast.
