Famous pastor introduces second wife during sunday service

A pastor in Cleveland, Ohio, has sparked widespread reactions on social media after revealing that he has been in a polygamous relationship involving two women for nearly three years.

Pastor Israel Ford of LifeWorks Church made the disclosure during a recent church service alongside his wife, Lydia, who introduced Minister Shakayla to the congregation as her husband’s second wife and her “sister in marriage”.

In a video circulating on social media, Lydia explained that she and Ford were living in what she described as a “polygynous marriage”, in which a man has more than one wife.

“Our prophet, he has a second wife. Y’all know her, y’all love her, y’all benefit from her ministry every week,” she told the congregation before inviting Shakayla to join them on stage.

Shakayla, who appeared comfortable addressing the congregation, acknowledged that the revelation would raise questions and concerns. However, she maintained that the arrangement was consistent with what she believed to be God’s will for their family.

She also expressed appreciation for her husband and Lydia, describing their relationship as a family dynamic that reflected what God wanted to establish.

“I have not been slighted one bit. I have gained so much,” she said, insisting that she was happy with the arrangement.

Shakayla further explained that her role was not to compete with Lydia or take attention away from her ministry, but to serve and support their husband.

Ford subsequently disclosed that the relationship was not a recent development, revealing that he and Shakayla would mark their third wedding anniversary in approximately one week.

The public revelation has generated discussion online, particularly over the religious justification for the arrangement and questions surrounding its legal status.

Under Ohio law, bigamy is prohibited by Section 2919.01 of the Ohio Revised Code and is generally classified as a first-degree misdemeanour. However, it remains unclear whether Ford’s relationship with the two women involves legally recognised marriages or whether the second union was a religious or customary arrangement.

The distinction is significant because the public description of a polygynous relationship does not, by itself, establish that a person has entered into two legally valid marriages.

The disclosure has continued to attract attention as social media users debate the intersection of religious beliefs, marriage, personal choice and the law.