US Pastor Israel Ford Announces Second Wife, Says Monogamy Is Unbiblical

Pastor Israel Ford of LifeWorks Church in Wickliffe, Ohio, United States, has announced his marriage to a second wife, arguing that monogamy is not supported by the Bible.

Ford made the announcement in a Facebook post in which he introduced Shakayla Ford as his second wife and cited Exodus 21:10 to support his position.

The Bible passage, according to the King James Version, states: “If he take him another wife; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish.”

In a video accompanying the announcement, Ford’s first wife, Prophetess Lydia Ford, introduced Shakayla as her husband’s second wife. She also disclosed that the couple had been married privately for three years.

In his post, the pastor said he wanted to publicly introduce Shakayla to the world, adding that society had taught people 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,” Ford wrote.

He encouraged people to watch his sermon in full, describing his position as an unpopular truth that many pastors were unwilling to preach.

Ford also said he was unwilling to prioritise public approval over what he believes God has revealed in Scripture.

“People may not accept this and choose to disconnect, and that is OK!” he wrote.

He concluded his message by expressing confidence in his religious convictions and wishing his audience well.

The announcement has drawn attention to the debate over polygamy and the interpretation of biblical passages concerning marriage. While Ford cites Exodus 21:10 in support of his position, Christian traditions differ in how they interpret biblical references to multiple wives and their relevance to marriage today.