Pastor Israel Ford’s Second-Wife Announcement Takes Serious Turn as Stepdaughter Alleges Sexual Abuse

Ohio Pastor Israel Ford drew attention after publicly introducing a second wife and defending the arrangement as biblical. Now, his stepdaughter has come forward with allegations of years of sexual abuse, shifting attention from his marriage claims to his conduct behind closed doors.

According to ChurchLeaders, Kourtney Jones made the allegations in Facebook posts published October 26 and shared again October 27. Her account has not been independently verified.

Ford and Lydia Ford lead LifeWorks Church in the Cleveland area, where Shakayla Ford serves as a minister. In a video shared on Ford's social media, Lydia introduced Shakayla to the congregation as her "sister in marriage." Shakayla described the relationship as God's will and thanked those who had supported them.

But Jones challenged the public image surrounding the announcement. She alleged that the man receiving attention online had sexually abused her for years and urged viewers to stop treating the family's situation as entertainment.

"It's so triggering to see the man that made your life hell be given a platform on social media," Jones wrote, according to ChurchLeaders.

Jones also defended her mother and Shakayla against online ridicule, describing both women as victims. She argued that the public conversation should focus on alleged exploitation and the experiences of women involved, rather than jokes about the unconventional marriage.

Her twin sister, Kayce White, separately distanced herself from the marriage arrangement while asking people not to contact her to disparage their mother. White said she remained committed to her own marriage and would not participate in conversations ridiculing her family. Her statement should not be treated as independent confirmation of Jones' abuse allegations.

The allegations raise questions extending beyond Ford's interpretation of marriage: how complaints involving church leaders are heard, who holds those leaders accountable, and whether those speaking out can do so without becoming targets themselves.

ChurchLeaders reported that it had contacted Jones, LifeWorks Church and the Fords for comment. No reply was included in the report reviewed. Available reporting did not establish whether police had received or investigated Jones' allegations.