Israel Ford, pastor of LifeWorks Church in Wickliffe, Ohio, has announced his marriage to a second wife and promised to explain his position on polygamy in a forthcoming sermon.
Ford shared the announcement on Facebook, publishing a video recorded in church in which he appeared with his first wife, Lydia Ford, and his second wife, Shakayla Ford.
Introducing his new wife, he wrote: “I would like to introduce to the world, my second wife, Shakayla Ford!!!”
The pastor subsequently defended his decision, challenging the belief that a man should have only one wife.
“As a nation we have been taught that a man should have one wife only. This is unbiblical,” he said.
Ford stated that he would publish a full sermon later in the week to explain the biblical arguments behind his position.
He added that many pastors were reluctant to address polygamy because it was an unpopular subject within sections of the Christian community.
The cleric maintained that he would remain faithful to what he believes God had revealed to him, even if his decision attracted criticism.
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“I have no plans to choose pleasing man over what God has revealed,” he stated.
Ford also acknowledged that some people might disagree with his marriage arrangement and decide to end their association with him.
He said he respected their freedom to make that choice and would not allow public opposition to determine his personal convictions.
The announcement has prompted renewed debate about the biblical understanding of marriage and the responsibilities of religious leaders when discussing controversial subjects.
Although polygamy appears in several biblical narratives, many Christian denominations today teach monogamy as the appropriate model for marriage.
The distinction between biblical accounts of historical practices and contemporary church teachings remains central to discussions on the subject.
Ford’s promised sermon is expected to offer a fuller explanation of his interpretation and the reasoning behind his decision.
Meanwhile, the announcement has generated public interest in the pastor’s views on marriage, scripture and religious tradition.
