Denzel Washington Baptized Ahead of 70th Birthday, Becomes Minister

 

Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington has taken a significant step in his faith journey, being baptized at the Kelly Temple Church of God in Christ in Harlem, New York, just days before his 70th birthday. The ceremony, which took place on Saturday, was livestreamed on Facebook, showing Washington in a white robe, immersed in the church’s ritual pool, and receiving a certificate of baptism.

In his address to the congregation, Washington, who will turn 70 on December 28, remarked, “It took a while, but I’m here.” He also shared a pivotal moment from his youth, recalling an encounter with a woman named Ruth Green at his mother’s beauty parlour when he was 20. Green prophetically told him, “Boy, you are going to travel the world and preach to millions of people.”

Later in the service, Washington was presented with a minister’s license, granting him the ability to officiate minor religious services like weddings. This step also paves the way for future ordination, allowing him to serve more formally in the church.

Washington has been open about his religious beliefs, particularly in recent years. In a November interview with Esquire, he spoke about a transformative spiritual experience in the early 1980s. “It felt like I was getting lifted up... I was filled with the Holy Spirit,” he recalled of his church experience in Los Angeles. He also addressed the challenges of discussing faith in Hollywood, a town where spirituality is often downplayed. “You can’t talk like that and win Oscars. You can’t talk like that and party,” he said. Despite the industry's reluctance to embrace open displays of faith, Washington made it clear that belief remains strong in Hollywood, even if it's not openly discussed.

Washington’s baptism and ministerial appointment come at a significant time in his life, as he prepares to celebrate a milestone birthday and reflect on his career, faith, and the path that led him to this moment of spiritual renewal.