On Saturday, December 21, Denzel Washington took a significant step in his faith journey, being baptized at Kelly Temple Church of God in Christ (COGIC) in Harlem, New York City. During the ceremony, the Academy Award-winning actor also received his minister’s license, a moment he described as his “greatest accomplishment.”
Faith has long been a cornerstone of Washington’s life. Growing up with a father who was a Pentecostal minister, his spiritual foundation was set early. However, as Washington shared during the service, his personal relationship with God grew stronger over time. “It took a while, but I’m finally here,” he told the congregation. “If [God] can do this for me, there’s nothing He can’t do for you. The sky literally is the limit.”
The service, livestreamed by the First Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ Eastern New York, captured the emotional moment when Washington was submerged in baptismal water, marking a new chapter in his faith. Reflecting on the milestone, the 69-year-old actor shared a memory from when he was 20 years old. While sitting in his mother’s beauty parlor, a woman named Ruth Green told him he would “travel the world and preach to millions of people.” Decades later, Washington acknowledged, “Fifty years later, look at God.”
His wife of 41 years, Pauletta Washington, was present in the congregation, offering heartfelt words of support. “Forty-six years later, here I’m still standing next to him as only God will have it,” she said, expressing pride in her husband’s journey. Together, the couple has raised four children—John, Katia, and twins Olivia and Malcolm—instilling in them the values of faith and family.
Washington’s public embrace of his faith comes as he continues to thrive in Hollywood. With upcoming roles in Gladiator II and the highly anticipated Black Panther 3, the actor is balancing his storied career with a deep commitment to his spiritual calling. Reflecting on his path, Washington stated in a recent Esquire essay, “God is real. God is love. God is the only way. It’s my job to lift God up, to give Him praise.”
Unapologetic about his faith, Washington said he’s “unafraid” of how it may be perceived in Hollywood. “When you see me, you see the best I could do with what I’ve been given by my Lord and Savior,” he said. “I’m free now.”
As Washington continues to inspire audiences with his work on and off-screen, his journey serves as a reminder of the power of faith, humility, and service. To God be the glory.
