A church service in the Cleveland area of Ohio has gone viral after a pastor’s wife stood before the congregation and introduced another woman as her husband’s second wife.
Lydia Ford, co-pastor of LifeWorks Church, told worshippers on Sunday, October 25, 2026, that she and her husband, church founder Israel Ford, are living in what she called a “polygynous marriage.” She then presented Shakayla Ford, formerly Shakayla Talley, a familiar face in the church, as the “prophet’s wife and my sister in marriage, Minister Shakayla.”
What Happened at the Service
LifeWorks Church was founded in 2009 by Israel Ford, who is known to members as a prophet, and his wife Lydia, who co-pastors with him. Reports place the church in Wickliffe, a suburb of Cleveland.
Video clips of Sunday’s service, now widely shared online, show Lydia telling the congregation that they already knew and loved Shakayla, and that members “benefit from her ministry every week.” She said the three of them are “living even right now” in a polygynous marriage, a form of polygamy in which a man has more than one wife.
Reactions in the room were mixed. Some members stood, clapped and cheered. Others looked visibly shocked. According to reports, Shakayla told the church she was there to serve and submit, and suggested the arrangement could draw new people to the church.
Reports say the arrangement had been in place for nearly three years before it was revealed to the congregation.
“One Wife Is Unbiblical,” Says Israel Ford
Israel Ford later confirmed the news on social media, introducing Shakayla as his second wife. In his post, he argued that the teaching that a man should have only one wife is “unbiblical.” He acknowledged that some followers may not accept it and may choose to “disconnect,” and said he would upload the full sermon explaining his position later in the week.
Ford has pointed to Exodus 21:10, an Old Testament passage that sets out a husband’s duties to his first wife if he takes another. Critics note that the verse regulates such marriages rather than commanding them, and point to New Testament passages such as 1 Timothy 3:2, which says a church leader should be “the husband of one wife.” Most Christian denominations teach monogamy.
What Does Ohio Law Say?
The announcement has raised legal questions. Bigamy is a crime in Ohio under Section 2919.01 of the Ohio Revised Code. The law covers marrying someone while already married, or continuing to live with that person in Ohio. It is a first-degree misdemeanour, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
However, it is not clear whether Israel and Shakayla’s union is a legal civil marriage or a religious covenant only, and a public declaration alone does not prove a crime. No charges had been reported as of Tuesday, and there is no indication that the authorities are investigating.
The case is similar to that of Missouri pastor Rich Tidwell, who also defended taking a second wife by citing Exodus 21:10 and was widely criticised in Christian media.
Why the Story Has Struck a Nerve
The clip has sparked heated debate online. Supporters argue that the three adults are open about their arrangement and are free to live their faith as they choose. Critics say it is a misuse of scripture, and some have questioned how the relationship was kept from church members for so long.
The story has also drawn interest in Nigeria and across Africa, where polygamy is legal under customary and Islamic law in many places but is rejected by most mainstream churches. For many readers, the surprise is seeing a pastor in the United States openly defending it from the pulpit.
Neither LifeWorks Church nor Shakayla Ford has issued a separate public statement beyond the service and Israel Ford’s social media posts. Flashinfong will update this story when the full sermon is released.
Sources: IBTimes UK, Protestia, Rolling Out, TimesLIVE.