US Pastor Israel Ford Faces Abuse Allegations After Revealing Secret Second Marriage

A controversy has erupted at LifeWorks Church in Cleveland, Ohio, after Pastor Israel T. Ford publicly revealed that he had secretly married a second woman, sparking debate over polygamy and Christian teachings.

The announcement, made during a church service on October 25, 2026, was followed by serious allegations from his stepdaughter, Kourtney Jones, who accused him of sexually abusing her when she was a child.

The controversy began when Lydia Ford, Israel Ford’s wife, introduced Minister Shakayla Talley to the congregation as her “sister in marriage”.

During the service, Israel Ford confirmed that he had been in a polygynous relationship for nearly three years. Talley also addressed the congregation, describing the arrangement as the “will of God”.

Pastor Defends His Polygamous Marriage

Following the announcement, footage of the service spread across social media, attracting widespread reactions.

Israel Ford subsequently defended his marriage on social media, arguing that polygamy was supported by biblical examples. He criticised traditional Christian teachings on monogamy, describing them as “unbiblical”.

The pastor reportedly referred to Old Testament figures who had multiple wives to support his position. He also dismissed criticism based on the New Testament instruction that church leaders should be the husband of one wife.

Ford maintained that he would not prioritise public approval over what he believed God had revealed to him. He also told members of his congregation who disagreed with his position that they were free to leave.

Stepdaughter Accuses Pastor of Sexual Abuse

The controversy took a more serious turn on October 27, two days after the church announcement, when Kourtney Jones, the daughter of Lydia Ford and stepdaughter of Israel Ford, made allegations against him in a Facebook post.

Jones accused Ford of sexually abusing her from the age of 12. She alleged that the abuse involved inappropriate comments, forced declarations of love and repeated incidents in which he lay in her bed.

She also said she had remained silent for six years, partly to protect her mother’s peace.

According to her account, the situation created a deep rift between her and her mother. Jones claimed that when her mother eventually became aware of the allegations, she chose to believe Ford’s version of events.

The allegations have not been independently established, and the source report does not provide details of any police investigation or legal proceedings involving the claims.

Kourtney Jones Urges Public to Show Compassion

Despite the controversy, Jones urged social media users not to direct insults or ridicule at her mother or Shakayla Talley.

She reportedly described both women as victims of Ford’s alleged manipulation rather than people who should be subjected to online attacks.

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Her twin sister, Kayce White, also released a statement distancing herself from the polygamous arrangement while appealing for compassion towards their mother.

Questions Remain Over the Marriage

The situation has placed LifeWorks Church under intense public scrutiny, with questions emerging about the pastor’s marriage and the allegations made by his stepdaughter.

The source report notes that Ohio law does not recognise multiple legal spouses and that entering into another legally recognised marriage while already married can amount to bigamy.

However, it remains unclear whether the arrangement involving Israel Ford, Lydia Ford and Shakayla Talley involved any additional civil marriage registration.

The controversy continues to draw attention to the relationship between religious beliefs, family disputes and serious allegations of abuse. The claims against Ford remain allegations and should not be treated as established findings.