Denzel Washington has a new role — and it’s not on the big screen.
In a Facebook post, Archbishop Christopher Bryant of Kelly Temple in New York City announced that Washington was baptized and received his minister’s license on Saturday, Dec. 21.
“We celebrate the addition of Minister Denzel Washington into the clergy, having received his minister’s license in the Church of God in Christ today, in a truly uplifting moment,” the post revealed.
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Bryant also shared that the ceremony held special significance for Washington.
“He is dressed that way because, in the same service, he received water baptism,” Bryant added. “Both the baptism and the licensing took place at the Historic Kelly Temple in NYC, a place close to his heart. Denzel Washington attended this church as a child and testified to being filled with the Holy Spirit after visiting another church with actor Robert Townsend in the ’80s.”
Washington, 69, reflected on his spiritual journey during the ceremony.
According to Page Six, he told Bryant, “It took a while, but I’m finally here. If [God] can do this for me, there’s nothing he can’t do for you. The sky literally is the limit.”
The actor and producer’s wife, Pauletta Washington, also shared her pride.
“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.”
This comes after the two-time Oscar winner recently spoke about his faith in an Esquire interview, addressing the role of religion in his work.
“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,” the Gladiator II star said.
“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,” he continued.
Washington has been acting since the 1970s.
After his breakout role on the TV series St. Elsewhere in the ’80s, he’s starred in a long list of hit films including — but not limited to — Glory, The Equalizer franchise, Unstoppable, The Book of Eli, The Taking of Pelham 123, Inside Man, Training Day, Déjà Vu, Crimson Tide, and Man on Fire.
