Israel Ford, a Cleveland-area pastor who leads LifeWorks Church, is facing criticism after announcing that he has a second wife and defending the arrangement as consistent with his understanding of the Bible.
Ford shared a video of the announcement on Instagram on Oct. 25. During the church service, his first wife, Lydia Ford, introduced Minister Shakayla Talley Ford to the congregation. The three received a standing ovation from those in attendance.
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In a statement accompanying the video, Ford challenged the belief that Christian marriage should involve only one wife. He also encouraged people to watch an upcoming sermon in which he plans to explain his position in greater detail.
“As a nation we have been taught that a man should have one wife only. This is unbiblical,” Ford wrote.
He acknowledged that some people might disagree with his decision, adding that he would not prioritize public approval over what he believes God has revealed to him.
Ford pointed to Exodus 21:10 in the New King James Version as support for his position. The biblical passage discusses a man taking another wife and outlines his responsibilities toward his wives.
During the announcement, Lydia described the arrangement as a “polygynous marriage,” meaning a marriage in which one man has multiple wives at the same time. She referred to Shakayla as her “sister in marriage” and told church members that they were already familiar with her and her ministry.
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Shakayla also addressed the congregation, describing the relationship as part of God’s plan for their family. She made it clear that her marriage to Ford would not change Lydia’s position at the church.
“I’m still Minister Shakayla. I’m not a pastor. Please, please, I’m not a pastor. I’m not here to take any light from Pastor Lydia. Not at all,” she said.
Shakayla suggested that the arrangement could also make LifeWorks a place of worship for people who have felt unwelcome at other churches because of their relationships or family structures.
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However, the announcement has prompted questions about both the religious justification and the legal status of the marriage. It remains unclear whether Ford’s second marriage was legally registered or is strictly a spiritual arrangement.
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Ohio law prohibits a married person from marrying another person or continuing to cohabit with them as spouses. A violation is a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
Online reactions have also included criticism from people citing 1 Timothy 3:2, which says an overseer should be “faithful to his wife.” The debate is likely to continue as Ford prepares to share more of his biblical reasoning.
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