Denzel Washington has a new line to add to an already impressive résumé. The legendary actor was recently given a minister’s licence at a church ceremony where he was also baptised.
Washington was baptised by Bishop James Pullings Jr. at the Kelly Temple in Harlem, New York City on Saturday. Washington was presented with a separate certificate for his baptism in addition to his ministry licence, which will allow him to be ordained and helm spiritual services following his training period.
“In one week I turn 70. It took a while but I’m here,” Washington shared at the ceremony, which was held at New York’s Kelly Temple Church of God in Christ in Harlem. ‘If [God] can do this for me, there’s nothing He can’t do for you. The sky literally is the limit.”
“Man gives the award, God gives the reward. That’s what my mother told me the eighth or ninth time I lost an Academy Award,” Washington said. “Fifty years ago, as we speak, actually — I turn 70 next week — I was 20 when I sat in my mother’s beauty parlour and Ms. Ruth Green was known to have the gift of prophecy. She said, ‘Boy, you are going to travel the world and preach to millions of people.’ She didn’t say, You’re going to get back in school.’ She didn’t say, ‘You’re going to become an Academy Award [winner].’ She didn’t say any of those things. She said, ‘You’re going to travel the world and preach to millions of people.’”
The actor also praised the support of his wife, Pauletta Washington. The First Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ Eastern New York live-streamed the service on Facebook. Esther Renee Burns Pullings, the bishop’s wife, shared photos of the moment on Facebook.
“A beautiful service we had today at The Historic Kelly Temple Church of God in Christ,” she captioned the photos. “We witnessed our Bishop James Pullings Jr. baptising now Minister Denzel Washington today. To God Be The Glory!”
Washington’s family attended the ceremony. During the service, Pauletta expressed how proud she was of her husband, bringing Washington to tears.
“Forty-six years later, here I’m still standing next to him as only God will have it,” Pauletta said. “So I’m very proud of you. You are the head of our house and you have set a great example for our children, who are now adult children who know the difference because we have shown them the difference.”
The milestone aligns with Washington’s recent comments about faith in Hollywood. Last month, Esquire published a story in which Washington spoke of his faith. “It’s not fashionable. It’s not sexy. But 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.”
He noted that it has “always informed the roles” he chooses while navigating Hollywood, many of which have religious undertones. “When you see me, you see the best I could do with what I’ve been given by my Lord and Saviour,” he said. “I’m unafraid. I don’t care what anyone thinks. See, talking about the fear part of it — 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.”
Washington acknowledged that faith may not be discussed in Hollywood very often but emphasised that this doesn’t mean people in the industry lack belief.
(Agencies; Picture Courtesy: Christopher Bryant/Facebook)
