{"id":15674,"date":"2026-10-28T11:25:39","date_gmt":"2026-10-28T15:25:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/christnewstoday\/?p=15674"},"modified":"2026-10-28T11:25:39","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T15:25:39","slug":"ohio-pastor-reveals-he-has-2-wives-claims-monogamy-is-unbiblical","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/christnewstoday\/2026\/10\/ohio-pastor-reveals-he-has-2-wives-claims-monogamy-is-unbiblical.html","title":{"rendered":"Ohio Pastor Reveals He Has 2 Wives, Claims Monogamy is \u2018Unbiblical\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"
Israel Ford \/ Facebook<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

An Ohio pastor has sparked controversy after telling his congregation he has been living with two wives for the past three years, calling the traditional Christian teaching of one wife<\/p>\n

Pastor Israel Ford, who co-founded LifeWorks Church<\/a> in Cleveland with his wife, Lydia Ford, in 2009, publicly introduced his second wife, Shakayla Ford, during a Sunday church service. The announcement<\/a> later appeared on Facebook, where the pastor defended his unconventional marriage arrangement as consistent with God’s will.<\/p>\n

“As a nation, we have been taught that a man should have one wife only. This is unbiblical,” Ford wrote.<\/p>\n

He promised to explain his biblical reasoning in a sermon, while acknowledging that his position would likely face criticism from fellow Christians and church leaders.<\/p>\n

“I understand that this is an unpopular truth that we have gotten away from and many Pastors will not preach,” he continued. “I have no plans to choose pleasing man over what God has revealed.”<\/p>\n

The pastor also acknowledged that some members might leave the church over the revelation, and said he was prepared to accept that possibility.<\/p>\n

During the announcement, Lydia Ford confirmed that the family has been practicing polygyny, a form of polygamy in which a man has multiple wives.<\/p>\n

“My husband, our prophet, he has a second wife,” Lydia told the congregation. “Y’all know her, y’all love her, y’all benefit from her ministry every week.”<\/p>\n

She then introduced Shakayla, who also serves as a minister at LifeWorks Church, describing her as her “sister in marriage.” The congregation responded with applause.<\/p>\n

Shakayla told church members that she believes God brought the family together and that the arrangement has strengthened their relationships.<\/p>\n

“It is amazing to know that this is the will of God and to live it,” she said.<\/p>\n

“I have not been slighted not one bit, and I have gained so much,” she added, describing their household as a close-knit family rather than one divided by jealousy or conflict.<\/p>\n

Shakayla also suggested that their public announcement could encourage other families practicing polygyny who feel unwelcome in traditional churches.<\/p>\n

“We’re blazing a trail, and it’s starting to catch on fire,” she said.<\/p>\n

The revelation raises questions about marriage, biblical interpretation, and the responsibilities of church leaders.<\/p>\n

While the Old Testament records several men who had multiple wives, including Abraham, Jacob and King David, most Christian denominations teach that marriage is intended to be a lifelong union between one man and one woman.<\/p>\n

Jesus pointed to God’s original design for marriage in Matthew 19:4-6, describing a husband and wife becoming “one flesh.” The Apostle Paul also instructed church overseers to be faithful to one wife in 1 Timothy 3:2.<\/p>\n

Polygamous marriages are not legally recognized<\/a> in Ohio, although the family’s announcement does not establish whether any laws have been violated or what legal stakes may follow.<\/p>\n

Ford’s declaration has brought an unusual debate into the public eye, challenging traditional Christian teachings and raising questions about how churches interpret scripture and define biblical marriage.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

An Ohio pastor has sparked controversy after telling his congregation he has been living with two wives for the past three years, calling the traditional Christian teaching of one wife Pastor Israel Ford, who co-founded LifeWorks Church in Cleveland with his wife, Lydia Ford, in 2009, publicly introduced his second wife, Shakayla Ford, during a…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":516,"featured_media":15686,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fbia_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15674","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nOhio Pastor Reveals He Has 2 Wives, Claims Monogamy is \u2018Unbiblical\u2019<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A Cleveland pastor sparks debate after revealing his 3 year marriage arrangement, defending it as God's will despite Christian teachings.\" 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