Ohio Pastor Says Having Only One Wife Is 'Unbiblical' as He Introduces His Second Wife

An Ohio pastor is drawing wide attention after announcing that he is in a polygamous marriage. In a video clip posted to social media on October 25, Israel Ford stood on stage as his wife Lydia Ford introduced his second wife, Shakayla Ford, who spoke briefly to the congregation about the marriage.

"I would like to introduce to the world, my second wife, Shakayla Ford!!!" Ford wrote in the caption of his posts. "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."

Ford said he understands the teaching is unpopular and that many pastors will not preach it. "I have no plans to choose pleasing man over what God has revealed," he wrote. "People may not accept this and choose to disconnect, and that is ok! This life will be over soon and we can all laugh about it in Heaven. Until then, God bless."

Ford and Lydia Ford lead LifeWorks Church in the Cleveland, Ohio, area. According to ChurchLeaders, which reported the story, the church's website was not accessible at the time of reporting because its bandwidth limit had been exceeded. An archived page from December 2025 identifies Israel Ford with the title "Prophet" and says he was called to ministry at age 20, co-pastors with his wife Lydia, and serves in ministry with his family.

In his caption, Ford pointed readers to Exodus 21:10, which says, "If he marries another woman, he must not deprive the first one of her food, clothing and marital rights." The verse comes from the Old Testament law governing a specific situation in ancient Israel, and it describes regulation of a practice rather than a command to practice it.

That distinction matters for how Christians read the passage. The Bible records polygamy among figures such as Abraham, Jacob, David, and Solomon, and in every case the record shows conflict, rivalry, and sorrow following in its wake. The pattern from creation, however, is different: "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh" (Genesis 2:24). Jesus reaffirmed that pattern when He taught on marriage, quoting Genesis and saying, "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder" (Matthew 19:6).

The New Testament sets the standard for church leadership even more plainly. A bishop, or overseer, must be "the husband of one wife" (1 Timothy 3:2), and the same qualification is repeated for deacons and elders. Whatever questions Christians may debate about Old Testament history, the qualification for those who lead God's people is unmistakable: one wife.

Ford's announcement follows a similar case reported earlier this year, in which a Missouri pastor defended taking a second wife. The growing willingness of some pastors to publicly embrace polygamy is a sign of how far some corners of the church have drifted from the clear teaching of Scripture on marriage — and of how urgently the church needs pastors who will preach the whole counsel of God, even when it is unpopular.

Believers should pray for the Ford family and for the congregation at LifeWorks Church, that truth would prevail and that all involved would be drawn back to God's design for marriage: one man and one woman, joined for life, reflecting the faithful love of Christ for His Church.