LIN Manhong was born in Fuzhou, Fujian but grew up mostly in Xiamen, Fujian. She was educated at Fujian Hwa Nan Women’s College, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary (APTS) and Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley California (GTU). She got an MATS degree from the APTS and a PHD degree from the GTU. She also had some learning experience at the graduate program of Nanjing Union Theological Seminary (NJUTS) and in the Bossey Ecumenical Institute.