Pastor Hong Shang Meng was born in Sabah. He received his theological education from Singapore Trinity Theological College, and thereafter served in Sabah for ten years. Subsequently, he set his ministry goals on Peninsular Malaysia and moved to Petaling Jaya, Selangor. In 2018, he joined the Lutheran Church Malaysia. Pastor Hong is married with three children. He has over 25 years of ministry experience. He enjoys a wide range of interests, such as reading, music, stamp collecting, sports, nature and wildlife, arts, photography, flowers, and mind twisting games.