Liang Fa

Liang Fa (simplified Chinese: 梁发; traditional Chinese: 梁發; pinyin: Liáng Fā; Jyutping: Leung4 Faat3; 1789–1855) was the first Chinese Protestant minister and evangelist. He was ordained by Robert Morrison, the first Protestant missionary to China. His evangelism was responsible for the conversion of Hong Xiuquan, leader of the Taiping Rebellion.

Biography

Liang was born in Gaoming, Zhaoqing, Guangdong, China in 1789. Coming from a poor family, he quit formal schooling at the age of 15 and went to work, first as a pen-maker, then in printing in Guangzhou. In 1810, he was employed in a printing house in Guangzhou. Even though it was illegal at the time to print materials related to Christianity, Robert Morrison sought Liang's help to print the Chinese version of the Bible that Morrison translated. It was through these close contacts with Morrison and his associate, William Milne, that Liang began to have some understanding of the Christian faith.

In 1815, as a result of the restrictions against preaching of Christianity in China, Milne moved to Malacca, Malaysia to continue his missionary work among overseas Chinese. Liang was employed by Milne and went with him to Malacca. Gradually, Liang became a devoted Christian in Malacca. He was baptised by Milne on November 3, 1816.