Screenshot: Gladiator II/Paramount Pictures
Hollywood star Denzel Washington, known for his roles in blockbuster films like Gladiator II, has taken a bold step in his spiritual journey.
On Saturday, just days before his 70th birthday, Washington was baptized and licensed as a minister at Kelly Temple Church of God in Christ in Harlem, New York.
Washington, dressed humbly in a gray T-shirt and black sweatpants, addressed the congregation with heartfelt words.
“In one week, I turn 70. It took a while, but I’m here,” he said, reflecting on the years leading to this spiritual milestone. “If [God] can do this for me, there’s nothing He can’t do for you. The sky literally is the limit.”
The ceremony, live-streamed by the First Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ Eastern New York, featured the actor’s immersion in baptismal water, a symbolic act that Washington said reflected his complete surrender to God’s will.
Credit: Christopher Bryant/Facebook
After the ceremony, where Denzel was immersed in baptismal water, the actor proudly posed for photos holding his minister’s license and baptism certificate.
Credit: Christopher Bryant/Facebook
Washington’s decision to publicly embrace his faith is a striking contrast to the Hollywood culture he describes as dismissive of religion.
In an Esquire essay, Washington wrote about the challenges of expressing faith in the entertainment industry, according to People.
He wrote:
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. 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.
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. 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.
I’m free now.
It’s not talked about in this town. It’s not talked about.
It’s not talked about.
It’s not fashionable. It’s not sexy. But that doesn’t mean people in Hollywood don’t believe. There’s no such thing called Hollywood anyway. What does that even mean? That to me means a street called Hollywood Boulevard. It’s not like we all meet somewhere and discuss what we believe. So I don’t know how many other actors have faith. I didn’t do no poll. How would I find that out? I mean, there’s no Church Actor Meetings I’ve been to.
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