Denzel Washington is marking a significant milestone in his life and faith journey.
The Oscar-winning actor, 69, was baptized and received his minister’s license during a ceremony at the Kelly Temple Church of God in Christ in New York. The event, held on Saturday, was broadcast live on Facebook.
Archbishop Christopher Bryant shared the news 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.” He also shared a photo of Washington’s baptism to commemorate the occasion.
During his remarks at the ceremony’s conclusion, Washington reflected on his spiritual path. He recalled advice from his mother, who once told him after several Academy Award losses, “Man gives the award, God gives the reward.” He also shared a story about Ruth Green, a woman with a prophetic gift, who told him at the age of 20 that he would one day “travel the world and preach to millions.”
“Fifty years later … if [God] can do this for me, there’s nothing He can’t do for you,” Washington said. “The sky literally is the limit, and there’s no limit to the sky. God is good all the time.”
Washington’s father was also a pastor in the Church of God in Christ, a legacy he acknowledged with gratitude. “I’m thankful for all that God has given me in 70 years,” he said, highlighting his “loving, faithful wife,” Pauletta Washington, who attended the service with him. He concluded his speech with a commitment: “Anything and everything I can do, I will do for God.”
This public expression of faith follows Washington’s recent remarks about his spirituality in a November Esquireinterview. He recounted experiencing a profound moment when he felt “filled with the Holy Spirit” at the West Angeles Church of God in Christ in California.
“God is real. God is love,” Washington told the magazine. “God is the only way. God is the true way. God blesses. 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.”
In the same interview, Washington admitted that openly expressing religious beliefs in Hollywood isn’t always well-received. “You can’t say that in this town,” he said, noting that it’s “not fashionable” or “sexy” to be openly religious. However, he added, “I don’t care what anyone thinks.”
Washington has been busy promoting Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II, which has already garnered Oscar buzz for his performance alongside Paul Mescal. In a recent interview with Australia’s Today, he hinted that he may retire after completing a few upcoming film projects.
For Washington, this latest chapter underscores his enduring faith and commitment to serving others through his spiritual journey.