WICKLIFFE, Ohio — An Ohio pastor stunned his congregation and sparked widespread debate this week after his first wife stood before the church and formally introduced another woman as his second wife, revealing a polygynous marriage that has lasted nearly three years.
Israel Ford, founder and self-described prophet of LifeWorks Church in Wickliffe (near Cleveland), and his wife Lydia Ford, a co-pastor, made the announcement during a Sunday service on October 25, 2026. In a video of the moment that has since gone viral, Lydia Ford addressed the congregation directly.
“Prophet and I, we are living even right now in what we would call a polygynous marriage. My husband, our prophet, he has a second wife,” she said. “Y’all know her, y’all love her, y’all benefit from her ministry every week, and so I just want to take this time as a pleasure of mine to introduce prophet’s wife and my sister in marriage, Minister Shakayla.”
Shakayla Ford (formerly Shakayla Talley), a minister in the church and longtime friend of the couple, then joined them on stage. The pair embraced as the congregation offered applause and a standing ovation in the video circulating online.
Shakayla addressed the crowd, acknowledging the questions the revelation would raise. “Cat’s out the bag,” she said. “I know people have questions, people have comments and concerns… This is the will of God, and to live it, I have not been slighted not one bit. I have gained so much… We are a family.” She emphasized that she does not seek to replace or diminish Lydia’s role as pastor, stating she remains a minister.
Israel Ford later shared the video on Facebook and Instagram, publicly introducing Shakayla as his second wife. He wrote: “I would like to introduce to the world my second wife, Shakayla Ford!!! As a nation we have been taught that a man should have one wife only. This is unbiblical. I encourage you to watch today’s sermon in its entirety (uploaded later this week). I understand that this is an unpopular truth that we have gotten away from and many Pastors will not preach. 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!”
Ford told the congregation the relationship with Shakayla has been ongoing for nearly three years, noting that in about a week it would mark the three-year mark of their marriage. He and Lydia co-founded LifeWorks Church in 2009.
Polygyny—the practice of one man having multiple wives—is illegal under U.S. law, including in Ohio. Ford has defended the arrangement by referencing Old Testament passages and arguing that modern Christian teachings limiting marriage to one man and one woman are not biblical. He has promised a fuller sermon explaining his position.
The announcement has drawn mixed reactions online and among Christian observers. Some church members appeared supportive in the service video, while critics have questioned the theological interpretation, pastoral example, and legal implications. Mainstream Christian teaching generally holds monogamy as the biblical standard for marriage, citing New Testament passages on church leadership and Jesus’ references to Genesis.
The Fords have framed their family dynamic as one of unity rather than competition, with both women affirming the arrangement as God’s will. As of the latest reports, Ford continues to lead LifeWorks Church and has indicated he will not reverse course despite potential departures from the congregation.
About the Author
