Huang Yizi, detained pastor in Wenzhou, knew risks in fighting removal of crosses

Huang Yizi always knew he would go to jail for his faith. It was only a question of when. That's just life when you're not only a Christian leader on the mainland, but also an outspoken one.

A popular pastor in Wenzhou, Zhejiang, Huang has frequently expressed his opposition to the provincial government's churches-and-crosses demolition campaign since April. He was formally detained by police on August 3 for "gathering to assault a state organ".

Police suspected Huang of organising a massive protest outside the government building of Pingyang county on July 24, three days after local authorities removed a cross on Jiuentang Church. The result was a bloody confrontation that injured at least 60 people. Huang could be jailed for up to 20 years, even though the demonstrators said they made their own decision to take part in the protest.

The outspoken pastor also founded a private seminary and a self-funded regiment of evangelists in 2000 in Wenzhou, which is known as "China's Jerusalem" to many Christians.

Although mainland law forbids evangelising, Huang has been sending out his seminarians and the Shenzhou Evangelising Regiment as volunteers to do dramatic, musical and dance performances for farmers in various provinces, including Zhejiang, Guangdong, Fujian , Jiangxi and Yunnan. In a country where the only legal churches are those that comply with the "patriotic" mould, the members of the regiment have become popular ambassadors for Jesus Christ. Huang has been urging church leaders to re-erect the crosses that were removed, clearly establishing a reputation as a thorn in the authorities' side.

Before his detention, he told the he was ready to sacrifice his life for his faith, if necessary.