Denzel Washington Gets Baptised, Receives License To Become A Minister [Photos/Video]

American actor, Denzel Washington recently deepened his spiritual commitment with a major milestone in his faith journey.

The 69-year-old actor was baptized on Saturday, December 21, at Kelly Temple Church of God in Christ in Harlem, New York City.

The First Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ Eastern New York broadcast the ceremony live on Facebook, capturing the moment Washington was baptized and received his certificate of baptism.

In addition to his baptism, Denzel Washington was also awarded a minister’s license during the same weekend. This license positions him to be ordained in the future.

During the ceremony, Washington addressed the congregation, reflecting on his journey and the timing of his baptism.

“In one week I turn 70,” he said. “It took a while, but I’m here.”

The actor also shared a story from his youth, recalling an encounter at his mother’s beauty parlor with a woman named Ruth Green.

Washington said when he was 20, she told him, “Boy, you are going to travel the world and preach to millions of people.”

The movie star reflected on how her words, written down by his mother, had come true decades later.

“She wouldn’t even spell the word prophecy. My mother wrote the word prophecy…50 years later, look at God. If He can do this for me, there’s nothing He can’t do for you. The sky literally is the limit and there’s no limit to the sky,” he said.

Denzel Washington expressed gratitude to his wife, Pauletta, who supported him from the congregation.

“To God be the glory. Hallelujah!” he continued. “Anything I can do, I will do for this church, the Almighty. I just want to be in that number when the saints go marching in.” 

The actor also spoke about his faith journey in a recent essay for “Esquire””. He recounted his early exposure to church and how his understanding of God evolved over time.

A major moment came at the West Angeles Church of God in Christ in Los Angeles, where he deepened his connection to his faith, influenced by actor and director Robert Townsend.

Reflecting on his relationship with God, Washington said, “Things I said about God when I was a little boy, just reciting them in church along with everybody else, I know now. God is real. God is love. God is the only way. God is the true way. God blesses.”

He emphasized his commitment to sharing his faith with others, stating, “It’s my job to lift God up, to give Him praise, to make sure that anyone and everyone I speak to the rest of my life understands that He is responsible for me.”

Unfazed by public perception, Denzel Washington declared, “I don’t care what anyone thinks,” affirming his dedication to his spiritual beliefs regardless of societal expectations.

“See, talking about the fear part of it—you can’t talk like that and win Oscars,” he said at the time. “You can’t talk like that and party. You can’t say that in this town.”

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