Ding Limei

Early Years and Calling

Ding Limei (丁立美) was born on 2 October 1871 into a Christian family in Daxinzhuang, Jiaozhou, Shandong. His father, Ding Qitang (丁启堂), was one of the early local believers and a preacher; this upbringing gave him a deep grasp of the faith.

Studies at Tengchow

At about thirteen, Ding Limei left home for Dengzhou (Tengchow) and entered Tengchow College, founded by the American Presbyterian Mission (North). The college, headed by Calvin Mateer, was a well-known mission school in northern China at the time. There he received systematic training in Chinese and Western learning. He graduated in 1892, then went on to study theology, and was ordained a Presbyterian minister in 1898.

Standing Firm in Trials

When the Boxer Uprising broke out suddenly in 1900, the church and believers suffered heavily. Ding Limei was imprisoned in Laizhou for about forty days and severely beaten, yet he did not change his resolve. His faith grew firmer through suffering, laying the foundation for his later revival ministry.

Student Revivals

From about 1908, Ding Limei devoted himself to itinerant revival preaching, travelling among churches and schools in many places. His preaching was earnest and powerful, and listeners were often moved to repent and turn to the Lord. In the summer of 1910 he joined with student representatives from Zhili, Shandong, Anhui and elsewhere to found and lead the Chinese Student Volunteer Movement for the Ministry (中华学生立志传道团), serving himself as its travelling secretary and urging young students to commit themselves to full-time preaching. Over the following ten years and more, his travels covered more than ten provinces, and in many universities and secondary schools he stirred a wave of dedication to ministry, moving thousands of young people to commit themselves to serve and raising up a large number of preachers for the modern Chinese church. Because of the far-reaching influence of this revival preaching, missionaries in China called him "the Moody of China" (after D.L. Moody), and also "the Apostle of Shandong".

Turning to Education

In his later years Ding Limei turned to theological education. From 1923 to 1931 he taught at the North China Theological Seminary, working alongside Jia Yuming (贾玉铭) to train younger students; afterwards he was also invited to lecture at the Tianjin Bible Institute. Years of travel had gradually worn down his strength, and on 22 September 1936 he died, resting in the Lord, at the age of 64. He was buried in Tianjin.

A Pioneer of the Student Movement

Throughout his life Ding Limei was devoted to preaching the gospel and leading people to the Lord, and he is widely recognised as a pioneer of the gospel movement among Chinese students. The fire of dedication he kindled inspired a whole generation of young Chinese to take up the path of service, and his influence reached many later leaders of the Chinese church, leaving an indelible spiritual mark.