Nationwide — LifeWorks Church pastor Israel Ford, who is from Cleveland, Ohio, has drawn attention online after introducing his second wife to his congregation during a Sunday service. His wife, Lydia, revealed that the couple had been in a polygynous marriage for nearly three years before publicly introducing Minister Shakayla as his other wife.
He made the announcement during the service, explaining that Shakayla was already familiar to many church members because of her ministry. She then invited the minister to join them onstage and welcomed her as her “sister in marriage.” The introduction revealed a family arrangement that the congregation may not have fully understood before the service.
Shakayla addressed the audience after joining the couple, acknowledging that the revelation could prompt questions and concerns. She said she felt neither overlooked nor mistreated and believed the relationship had brought positive changes to her life. She also thanked God, Ford, and Lydia, explaining that she wanted to support their family and serve alongside them.
“I have not been slighted not one bit. I have gained so much,” Shakayla said, according to Complex. She described their family dynamic as an arrangement she believed aligned with God’s will. She also made it clear that she did not intend to take attention away from Lydia, emphasizing her desire to serve and support their husband.
Ford later revealed that his relationship with Shakayla had been going on for nearly three years. He told the congregation that they would celebrate their third wedding anniversary in about a week. His remarks suggested that the arrangement had been in place long before the public introduction. The video has since circulated on social media, drawing attention to the pastor’s relationship and the couple’s religious explanation for their family structure.
The revelation has also raised questions about the legal status of the marriages. Ohio law prohibits a person from legally marrying another individual while still married to someone else. Under Ohio Revised Code Section 2919.01, bigamy is generally a first-degree misdemeanor. It is still unclear whether Ford’s statement means he entered into a legally recognized second marriage or whether the couple uses the term “married” to describe a religious or personal commitment. The viral video does not provide enough information to establish the legal status of either relationship.