An Ohio pastor has introduced his second wife to his congregation during a Sunday service, with his first wife making the announcement.

At LifeWorks Church in the Cleveland area, co-pastor Pastor Lydia Ford told members that she and her husband, Prophet Israel T. Ford, were living in a polygynous marriage. She then presented Minister Shakayla Ford as her husband’s second wife and her “sister in marriage.”

The announcement, which took place on 25 October 2026, was met with applause and cheers from some members of the congregation, while others appeared surprised.

Israel Ford later shared the news on social media, introducing Shakayla as his second wife and stating that the belief that a man should have only one wife is “unbiblical.”

He said he and Shakayla had been married for nearly three years and promised to explain his position further in a forthcoming sermon.

LifeWorks Church was founded by Israel Ford in 2009. He and Lydia Ford serve as co-pastors. The development has generated significant discussion online about the role of personal announcements in church settings and differing interpretations of biblical teaching on marriage.