Ohio Pastor Marries Second Wife, Defends Polygamy

Israel Ford, a pastor at LifeWorks Church in Wickliffe, Ohio, announced that he had married Shakayla Ford, introducing her to the congregation alongside his first wife, Lydia. Ford and his wives described their relationship as a polygynous marriage, with Lydia calling Shakayla her “sister in marriage”; Shakayla said she viewed the arrangement as God’s will. Ford argued that the belief a man should have only one wife is unbiblical and said he would not change his position to satisfy public opinion, while acknowledging some people might distance themselves. The announcement drew a mix of applause and surprise and has fueled debate among Christians, many of whose denominations teach monogamy.