Israel Ford, who leads LifeWorks Church in Ohio with his wife Lydia, has announced that he is in a polygynous marriage. The announcement was made at a Sunday service on 25 October 2026, where his second wife was introduced to the congregation by his first.
Lydia Ford told the congregation that she and her husband, whom the church calls "Prophet", are living in one. She then introduced Minister Shakayla Ford (formerly Shakayla Talley) as her "sister in marriage" and reminded the church that they already benefit from her ministry every week.
Shakayla Ford took the microphone next. She said the "cat is out the bag", that she has "not been slighted, not one bit", and that the three of them are a family rather than rivals. She added that she is not a pastor and is there to serve. On how long this has been going on, Lydia put the marriage at nearly three years.
Ford shared the news online too. His post cited Exodus 21:10 and said the teaching that a man should have only one wife is "unbiblical". He also wrote that he will not choose pleasing people over what he believes God has revealed, and that anyone who disagrees is free to walk away.
One thing to keep in mind: calling someone a wife in church is not the same as a legal marriage. Ohio law prohibits entering another marriage while a previous legal marriage remains in force, the legal status of the Fords' arrangement has not been established.
Let me know what you think: do you think this kind of conversation belongs in church, or is it a private family matter?
Tell us in the comments.
No comments:
Post a Comment