An American pastor has sparked debate after his first wife publicly introduced his second wife during a church service, revealing that the family had been living in a polygynous arrangement for nearly three years.
Prophet Israel Ford, who leads LifeWorks Church in Ohio, appeared alongside Pastor Lydia Ford and Minister Shakayla Ford during the announcement on Sunday, October 25.
Addressing the congregation, Lydia openly acknowledged the relationship, explaining that her husband had another wife whom church members already knew through her ministry.
She described Shakayla as her “sister in marriage” before inviting her to address the congregation.
Taking the microphone, Shakayla acknowledged that the announcement would raise questions but insisted that she had not been disadvantaged by the arrangement.
She maintained that the family was united and that she believed their relationship reflected God’s will.
Shakayla also dismissed suggestions of rivalry, explaining that the household operated as a family rather than as individuals competing against one another.
She stressed that she had no intention of replacing Pastor Lydia or assuming her position in the church, saying her role was to serve and support the ministry.
During the announcement, Lydia indicated that the relationship had existed for almost three years.
Following the service, Israel Ford publicly defended his decision, arguing that the widely accepted teaching that a man should have only one wife was not supported by his interpretation of scripture.
He described the traditional expectation of monogamy as unbiblical and acknowledged that his position could lead some followers to distance themselves from his ministry.
Polygyny, a form of polygamy involving one man having multiple wives, remains controversial within Christianity, with many denominations maintaining that marriage should be between one man and one woman.
The announcement has renewed discussion online about religious teachings, marriage and the responsibilities of church leaders.
Although the family describes the relationship as a marriage, the legal status of the second union has not been independently established.
