Denzel Washington was baptized and presented with a minister license on Saturday, Dec. 21 at the Kelly Temple Church of God in Christ, which is located in Harlem, NY.
News of the service, which streamed on Facebook, was first reported by People.com. By obtaining a minister license, the Oscar winner can now be ordained in the future.
“In one week, I turn 70,” Washington said during the service. “It took a while but I’m here. If God can do this for me, there’s nothing He can’t do for you. The sky literally is the limit.”
Washington was joined at his baptism by his wife, Pauletta Washington. She fought tears as she spoke about how proud she was to be in attendance with Denzel as he took his next steps in his faith journey.
“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 in Washington’s faith came nine years after he spoke about his family’s connection to the denomination in St. Louis at the 14th Annual COGIC Cares Banquet. The program was part of COGIC’S 108th Holy Convocation that was held at America’s Center.
“My father, my earthly father, Denzel Washington Sr. was a pastor for the Church of God in Christ for 60 years,” Washington said. “I can remember the most important time in our house – and he would be so excited – was when he was preparing to attend Convocation in Memphis, Tennessee. I didn’t know what he was doing when he got here – in fact I couldn’t even say the word, but I knew it was important to him.”
Washington then described the care that was taken as his father prepared to make his annual trek from upstate New York to Tennessee.
“He would get his best two suits together and my mother would fry him a tin of chicken and prepare a thermos of coffee and he would make the drive,” Washington said. “I know he’s smiling in heaven, seeing his son doing the best I can do today, by the grace of God.”
The Washington family are longtime members of West Angeles COGIC Church, where Presiding Bishop Emeritus Charles E. Blake served as their pastor.
“They were there every Sunday. They were involved,” Blake said at the banquet. “Their children worked in our nursery and attended Sunday school. Whenever there was a need Mr. Denzel Washington was always overjoyed to respond with generosity – unprecedented generosity – to the life of our church.”
As stated in the words of a song, “Only God can do it!” I thank God for doing it. Glory to God! Now Denzel, make sure you let God baptize and fill you with the Holy Ghost.