_1.jpg)
Right before his 70th birthday Hollywood actor Denzel Washington took the step of faith and got baptized.
On Saturday, Dec. 21, Washington was baptized at Kelly Temple Church of God in Christ in New York City. The service was livestreamed on Facebook.
Not only did the service include Washington's baptism but he also received a minister license. This allows him to become ordained one day if he chooses.
"It took a while, but I’m finally here," said Washington during the service. "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."
Washington has spoken about his faith often, including as the keynote speaker at a Christian men's conference. Back in 2021, he spoke on the importance of prayer in front of a crowd of men.
While he is well-respected as a man of character and believer in God, this was the first time he chose to be baptized publicly as his 70th birthday approaches in just one week.
Washington's wife, Pauletta, was also in the service during his baptism. They've been married for 41 years and have four children together.
During a time of sharing, Washington recalled a story of one woman in his life, Ruth Green, who spoke to him while he was at a barber shop.
"She said, ‘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. 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."
He also share that one of the biggest moments in his life is when fellow actor Robert Townsend invited him to the West Angeles Church of God in Christ in Los Angeles.
"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. God is real. God is love. God is the only way. God is the true way."