Social media erupts as US pastor’s wife introduces his second wife to congregation

Churchgoers have taken to social media to express their discontent after a Cleveland pastor’s wife introduced another woman as her husband’s second wife during a church service, describing her as a “sister in marriage”.

Lydia Ford, who co-pastors LifeWorks Church in Cleveland, Ohio, with her husband Israel Ford, made the announcement on October 25 2026, introducing minister Shakayla Talley, who now goes as Ford, to the congregation as her husband’s second wife.

“Prophet and I, we are living in what we would call a polygynous marriage. My husband, our prophet, he has a second wife. Y’all know her. Y’all love her. Y’all benefit from her ministry every week. I just want to take this time and it is a pleasure of mine to introduce to y’all prophet’s wife and my sister in marriage, minister Shakayla,” she said.

Ford, the church’s founder, described the arrangement as a “soulmate thing” before inviting Talley to address the congregation.

She said she wanted to address questions and concerns about the arrangement, insisting it was based on her religious convictions.

“I want to speak to the fact that I know people have questions, people have comments and concerns. It is amazing to know that this is the will of God and to live it,” she said.

Talley said she had not been disadvantaged by the arrangement and had benefited from her relationship with the pastor.

“I have not been slighted one bit. I have gained so much and I’ve learned so much from pastor. He’s poured so much into me, into our family,” she said.

Describing their relationship as a family dynamic rather than a rivalry between the women, she said they did not spend their time fighting or competing with one another.

“We are a family. We don’t walk around like individuals fighting and beefing but it is a family dynamic in the image of what God wants to put in the earth,” she said.

She thanked those who had supported the arrangement, saying it had been a journey of learning and growth.

“God just keeps increasing us, keeps blessing us, keeps taking us through the journey, and we’re learning and we’re growing, and we’ve had the pleasure of impacting so many other people around the world,” she said.

According to Talley, people in other states had reached out to express interest in living similar arrangements.

Talley also sought to clarify her position within the church, stressing she remained a minister and was not seeking to take Lydia’s place.

“I’m still minister Shakayla. I’m not a pastor. I’m not here to take any light from pastor Lydia. Not at all. I’m here to serve, to help, to submit to prophet, to our husband, and help her wherever I can,” she said.

Ford addressed the arrangement in a social media post introducing Talley to a wider audience. He challenged the belief that a man should have only one wife, presenting his position as a matter of biblical conviction rather than personal preference.

“As a nation we have been taught a man should have one wife only. This is unbiblical,” he wrote.

Ford cited Exodus 21:10 in the King James Version of the Bible to support his argument. He acknowledged not everyone in the church or among his followers would agree with the arrangement.

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

During the church service, he revealed he and Talley were approaching their third wedding anniversary.

The announcement has sparked debate online, with many social media users expressing disapproval of the arrangement. Some described it as blasphemous.

Ford’s Facebook post attracted more than 17,000 comments, more than 9,000 shares and about 9,000 likes.