Veteran Hollywood actor Denzel Washington publicly dedicated his life to Christ and was baptized over the weekend at Kelly Temple Church of God in Christ, located in Harlem, New York City. The 69-year-old actor also received a minister’s license, paving the way for future ordination.
Reflecting on the significance of the moment, Washington shared, “In one week, I turn 70. It took a while, but I’m here.” He went on to recount a memory from when he was 20 years old, sitting in his mother’s beauty salon, where a woman named Ruth Green told him, “Boy, you are going to travel the world and preach to millions of people.”
“She wouldn’t even spell the word prophecy. My mother wrote the word prophecy…50 years later. Look at God,” Washington continued. “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.”
Washington expressed his commitment to the church and faith, saying, “To God be the glory. Hallelujah! 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.”
Fox News Digital reported that Washington was baptized by Archbishop Christopher Bryant during the Saturday service at Kelly Temple. Bryant shared photos of the moment on Facebook, writing, “We celebrate the addition of Minister Denzel Washington into the clergy, having received his minister’s license in the Church of God in Christ today, in a truly uplifting moment.”
Washington, who has been open about his faith, previously discussed the challenges of discussing religion in Hollywood. In an interview with Esquire, he said, “You can’t talk like that and win Oscars. You can’t talk like that and party. You can’t say that in this town.”
He added, “When you see me, you see the best I could do with what I’ve been given by my lord and savior. I’m unafraid. I don’t care what anyone thinks. I’m free now.”
Although Washington has made his beliefs clear, he’s uncertain about how many other actors share his faith. “It’s not like we all meet somewhere and discuss what we believe. I didn’t do any poll. How would I find that out? I mean, there’s no Church Actor Meetings I’ve been to,” he said.
