African-American pastor Israel Ford has sparked widespread reactions online after reportedly introducing his second wife during a church service in Ohio, United States, Peak Newspaper reports.
The announcement was made on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at LifeWorks Church in Wickliffe, where Ford introduced Shakayla Ford as his second wife alongside his first wife, Lydia Ford, who also serves as a pastor at the church.
During his address, Ford defended his decision to have two wives, arguing that the belief that a man must marry only one woman is not explicitly supported by the Bible.
The pastor also reportedly maintained that he would not reverse his decision simply to satisfy public opinion, despite the possibility of disagreement among members of the congregation.
The development has sparked discussions about biblical interpretation, Christian marriage and the expectations placed on church leaders. While some may point to biblical accounts of men who had multiple wives, others maintain that Christian marriage should follow the principle of monogamy reflected in New Testament teachings.
The controversy has once again raised questions about how religious leaders interpret Scripture and whether personal marital decisions should align with the expectations of the congregations they lead.
