Training Laborers for His Harvest: A Historical Study of William Milne's Mentorship of Liang Fa

In this project Baiyu Andrew Song explores the mentorship of Chinas first ordained indigenous evangelist Liang Fa (1789-1855) by Scottish Presbyterian missionary William Milne (1785-1822) in the early nineteenth century. The biblically and contextually informed model of mentorship Milne employed is examined in detail which is placed in the historical setting of Milne and Liangs time. This project is particularly important in that it pioneers historical study in the area of the early protestant church history in China specifically in regard to William Milne. As a missionary who has served in four Asian countries I have seen the fruit of current trends in missions. Many believe that the Great Commission can be done with great speed: little or no need to learn the language or culture a commitment of a few months or less is sufficient. William Milne points us in a very different direction. Oh how we need to re-examine contemporary mission strategy in light of the Bible and the great missionaries of the past! --Phil Remmers President Robert Morrison Project Song has written a book marked by exact scholarship keen theological insights and evangelical warmth. This volume is filled with details and analysis of their significance yet admirably succinct. Training Laborers for His Harvest presents a look at a critical moment in the history of Protestant missions to China. It possesses considerable value both for historians and for those who wish to advance the cause of the gospel among the Chinese. I highly recommend it. --G. Wright Doyle Director Global China Center An inspiring and profitable read. Baiyu has done a great job of introducing William Milnes gospel ministry among nineteenth century Chinese to Christians today. Readers are bound to be encouraged by the missionary zeal of Milne and exhorted to follow in his footsteps of being theocentric in theology and practice. --Jeremy Lee Pastor Christ Community Church Louisville KY More than just an historical recounting of their lives and ministries Baiyu reminds us of the importance of mentorship when it comes to preparing Christians for service. As a Chinese Christian himself Baiyu Songs work is another illustration of the fact that although the kingdom of God may start small in the end it reaches to the ends of the earth. --Kirk Wellum Pastor and Professor of Systematic Theology Toronto Baptist Seminary Baiyu Andrew Song (BTS MTS Toronto Baptist Seminary) is the research assistant to the Director of the Andrew Fuller Centre of Baptist Studies at Toronto Baptist Seminary and a member of Lighthouse Bible Church Don Mills ON. He is pursuing doctoral studies in church history and biblical spirituality.