The lead pastor of LifeWorks Church in Wickliffe, Ohio, Prophet Israel Ford, has defended his decision to have two wives amid criticism from Christians, insisting that the biblical teaching on monogamy is often misunderstood.

Ford recently went viral after introducing his second wife, Minister Shakayla Ford, to his congregation alongside his first wife, Pastor Lydia Ford, during a church service on Sunday, October 25.

The announcement sparked widespread debate, with critics questioning the arrangement and citing biblical teachings that require church leaders to be “the husband of one wife”.

Speaking in an interview with The Shade Room alongside his wives, published on Tuesday, Ford argued that the scriptural requirement applied specifically to certain leadership positions rather than every Christian.

“One, I’m not a bishop nor am I a deacon. Two, if that’s actually what that meant, then that would only pertain to those who are on that level of leadership,” he said.

Ford further argued that some biblical instructions were influenced by the culture of the time and should be interpreted within that context.

To support his position, Ford cited the biblical instruction that women should remain silent in church, questioning why Christians could accept a cultural interpretation of that passage but reject similar reasoning regarding the requirement for church leaders to have one wife.

“And once I got that understanding, I was able to even go to the chapter before in chapter two where it says women should be silent in the church. Well, I was able to get over that one. And I knew that that was a cultural thing. So why can we not get over the other one, which is a bishop? It’s cultural,” he stated.

During the interview, Ford was asked whether his wives would be allowed to take additional husbands, given his decision to marry two women.

He rejected the possibility, saying, “No. If they want another husband, they don’t want me because I am not doing that.”

When challenged on the apparent double standard, Ford argued that husbands and wives had different responsibilities within marriage.

“If I have the responsibility to die for you and you only have to respect me, then that means I have the greater sacrifice,” he said, referring to what he considers the husband’s obligation to sacrifice his life for his wife.

His comments added another dimension to the controversy, with critics questioning why he considers it acceptable for a man to have multiple wives but rejects the same arrangement for women.

Lydia revealed that she initially opposed the idea of her husband taking another wife when he first raised the subject several years ago.

According to her, the conversation about polygyny began in 2021 or 2022, when Ford, while studying the Bible, told her he believed God had directed him to consider having more than one wife.

“The polygyny conversation started in 2021–2022. He was studying the Word of God, and God told him. He brought it to me, and I rejected it then. I asked him to allow God to speak to me about it,” she said.

Lydia explained that she subsequently embarked on a period of prayer, fasting and Bible study to seek her own understanding of the matter.

“After talking and praying, I asked God to speak to me about it. I said, whether I like it or not, I need God to tell me if this is something I should do or not. I went on the journey of studying the Word of God, praying and fasting, and reading so many books. At the end, God spoke to me, and I accepted,” she added.

She also explained how she became involved in the process of choosing Shakayla as Ford’s second wife, admitting that the idea initially made her uncomfortable.

Lydia said she eventually accepted the arrangement after studying the Bible and discussing polygyny with her husband.

Shakayla, who previously served under Ford’s spiritual mentorship, also discussed the transition from being his spiritual daughter to becoming his wife.

She acknowledged that the change required some adjustment but said Lydia helped her understand her new role.

“He will always be my spiritual leader; that does not change. In terms of wife, I feel like that was a transition because I had to learn what it was like to be a wife. But the best part is that I had an example right here,” she said, referring to Lydia.

“It was not hard. It was a transition in general.”

Ford, however, said the transition was easier for him because his conduct at home was consistent with his role in church.

“It was easy for me because who I am in church is who I am at home,” he said.

Shakayla also maintained that she was not seeking to replace Lydia or compete with her for a leadership position in the church.

“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 the prophet, to our husband, and help her wherever I can,” she said.

She described the arrangement as a family relationship rather than a rivalry between the women.

“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.