An American pastor has caused controversy online after revealing that he has two ‘wives’ and arguing that it is ‘unbiblical’ for a man to have just one wife.
Israel Ford, founder of LifeWorks Church, introduced his second ‘wife’ to his congregation during a service last Sunday in Cleveland in a video posted to Instagram on Sunday 25 October.
In the video, Pastor Ford’s first wife, Lydia Ford, who is also a pastor at the church, introduces Minister Shakyla Talley Ford.
Pastor Israel Ford also describes himself as a prophet. Lydia Ford is his co-pastor. Pastor Ford believes that one man and one woman is an "unbiblical" interpretation of marriage.
“As a nation, we have been taught that a man should have one wife only. This is unbiblical.
“I have no plans to choose pleasing man over what God has revealed. People may not accept this and choose to disconnect, and that is ok!
“This life will be over soon, and we can all laugh about it in Heaven,” Ford added.
Quoting Exodus 21:10, “If he takes another wife, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, and her marriage rights." Pastor Ford said it supported his polygynous relationship.
Commenters on the Instagram video quoted 1 Timothy 3:2 in response: “Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach.”
Lydia Ford, Ford’s first wife, said that the congregation benefited from Talley Ford’s ministry.
She said: “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.”
It is unknown whether the second ‘marriage’ was registered legally. Ohio state law prohibits a married person from marrying another person and is classed as a first-degree misdemeanour. The crime is punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a fine of $1,000 (£745.90)
Shakayla Talley Ford said that the unusual relationship would draw people to their church, and that people had been kicked out of churches for being polygamous, when people have relationships with more than one person, and polygynous, when people are married to more than one person.
“I have gained so much, and I’ve learned so much from pastor. I mean, he’s poured so much into me, into our family, and we are a family.
“I’m still Minister Shakayla. I’m not a pastor. Please, please, I’m not a pastor. I’m not here to take any light from Pastor Lydia.”