Ohio Pastor Presents Shakayla Ford as Second Wife

Israel Ford publicly presented Shakayla Ford as his second wife at a LifeWorks Church service in Cleveland on October 25, with his first wife, Lydia, introducing her to the congregation as her sister in marriage. Ford said the relationship had lasted nearly three years. The public announcement described the Fords’ arrangement, but does not establish whether it constitutes a legally recognized second marriage. During a Tuesday interview on Larry Reid Live, Israel said he might take a third wife if he could afford it and Lydia and Shakayla agreed. He said another wife would need to fit into the household. Asked whether his wives could take additional husbands, he said that was not acceptable within the household, though either could discuss separating if she wanted another partner. The interview also addressed how Shakayla’s relationship with the couple developed. She said she joined LifeWorks Church in 2018 and became close to Israel and Lydia while helping Lydia recover from surgery. Israel said he developed romantic feelings for Shakayla and eventually discussed them with Lydia. At the time, Shakayla was his spiritual daughter, a role she said had shaped their relationship...