Ohio Pastor Announces Second Wife, Embraces Polygamy
A Cleveland-area pastor publicly introduced a second wife to the world last Sunday, saying the widely held Christian teaching that a man should have only one wife is “unbiblical.”
Israel Ford, founder of LifeWorks Church, posted a video of the announcement to Instagram on Oct. 25. His first wife and fellow pastor, Lydia Ford, introduced Minister Shakayla Talley Ford to congregants who gave the threesome a standing ovation.
Ford urged viewers to watch a future sermon, to be uploaded later this week, that explains his position. He acknowledged that many would criticize his decision and dismissed their concerns.
“As a nation we have been taught that a man should have one wife only. This is unbiblical,” he wrote. “I have no plans to choose pleasing man over what God has revealed. People may not accept this and choose to disconnect, and that is ok!”
“This life will be over soon and we can all laugh about it in Heaven,” Ford added.
Ford cited Exodus 21:10 in the New King James Version. The verse addresses a man taking another wife and his obligations concerning food, clothing and marital rights.
In the four-minute video, Lydia Ford described their relationship as a “polygynous marriage,” according to a transcript. Polygyny is a version of polygamy, defined as a marriage of one man to more than one wife simultaneously.
“My husband, our prophet, he has a second wife. Y’all know her. Y’all love her. Y’all benefit from her ministry every week,” Lydia Ford told the congregation.
The first wife then introduced the second as her “sister in marriage.”
Shakayla addressed the congregation and said the arrangement reflected God’s will.
“I have gained so much, and I’ve learned so much from pastor,” she said. “I mean, he’s poured so much into me, into our family, and we are a family.”
Shakayla acknowledged that people would have questions and concerns. She assured the congregation, however, that the unusual marital arrangement would not disrupt the leadership of the church. Shakayla said she did not intend to displace Lydia’s leadership 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.
The second wife also suggested her marriage to Israel Ford might draw new people to LifeWorks.
“There’s been people who’s been kicked out of churches because they live this life,” she said, “they don’t have anywhere to worship.”
It is unclear whether the second marriage was legally registered or was solely a spiritual arrangement. A 1974 Ohio law states, “No married person shall marry another or continue to cohabit with such other person in this state.” Violations are classified as a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
LifeWorks Church identifies Israel Ford as its founder and says he began the congregation in 2009. Its website describes him as a prophet and co-pastor, along with Lydia Ford.
The church lists its worship location on Euclid Avenue in the Cleveland area. Its website describes the congregation as focused on helping people develop their Christian faith.
The announcement brought plenty of criticism in the comments on the Instagram video. Some quoted 1 Timothy 3:2, which says an overseer “is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife.”
This article was originally published in The Roys Report.
Mark A. Kellner is a reporter based in Mesquite, Nevada. He most recently covered statewide elections for the New York Post and was for three years the Faith & Family Reporter for The Washington Times. Mark is a graduate of the University of the Cumberlands and also attended Boston University’s College of Communication.