A congregation at an American church was left stunned during a live Sunday service when the lead pastor’s wife introduced her husband’s second wife to the altar.
The moment took place at LifeWorks Church in Cleveland, Ohio. The ministry was founded in 2009 by Prophet Israel Ford and his co-pastor wife, Pastor Lydia Ford. Video footage of the unexpected announcement has since gone viral across social media platforms.
A Live Church Announcement
Addressing worshippers directly from the stage, Pastor Lydia Ford confirmed that her household operates within a polygynous arrangement. She spoke warmly about the newest addition to their household before calling her to join her at the front of the church.
"Prophet and I, you know, we are living even right now in what we would call a polygamous marriage," Pastor Lydia told the congregation.
"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,” she added.
She then formally brought her co-wife to the microphone, explicitly introducing her using a distinctive title of kinship.
"And so I just want to take this time, and just as a pleasure of mine, to introduce to y'all Prophet's wife and my sister in marriage, Minister Shakayla," she announced.
'Cats Out the Bag'
Taking the microphone, the second wife, Minister Shakayla Ford (formerly Shakayla Talley), acknowledged the visible shock among church members.
"Cats out of the bag, elephants in the room," Minister Shakayla stated as she stepped forward.
"First I want to just give honor to God, you know, who is leading us and guiding us, and then my husband, and then also my sister in marriage.”
Addressing questions surrounding the plural marriage, she insisted that the dynamic was harmonious and divinely ordered.
"It is amazing to know that this is the will of God," she told the assembly.
"I have not been slighted, not one bit, and I have gained so much.”
She clarified that the structure was built around mutual support rather than rivalry.
"We don't walk around like individuals fighting and beefing, but it is a family dynamic," she added.
"I'm not here to take any light from Pastor Lydia, not at all. I'm here to serve, to help, to submit to the prophet, to her husband, and then help her wherever I can.”
Three Years in Plural Marriage
During the announcement, Pastor Lydia disclosed that the family dynamic was not a recent decision. She revealed that the marriage had been established for nearly three years before the public declaration.
"Me and Shakayla, it'll be, I think it's like in one more week, one more week it'll be three years we've been married," Pastor Lydia noted.
Following the broadcast, Prophet Israel Ford published a statement online defending polygyny. He argued that traditional teachings restricting marriage to one woman are unbiblical.
The viral clip continues to circulate widely, generating intense discussion across Christian communities regarding church leadership and biblical marriage standards.
