Denzel Washington celebrated a big milestone this past weekend.
On Saturday, the Academy Award-winning actor was baptized at the Kelly Temple Church of God in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City.
The church livestreamed the service on Facebook. In addition to baptism, Washington also conferred ministerial licenses.
During the ceremony, the actor spoke to the congregation about his experiences, which have been decades in the making.
“Miss Ruth Green, we’re actually talking about 50 years ago,” he explained, wearing a gray T-shirt and black sweatpants. “I was 20 years old when I was sitting in my mother’s hair salon. Miss Ruth Green was known for her gift of prophecy. She prophesied: ‘Hey, you… will travel the world and speak to millions of people. ‘She didn’t say you were going to go back to school, she didn’t say you were going to be an Academy Award-winning actor, she didn’t say you were going to travel all over the world. Please preach to millions of people.
“She couldn’t even spell the word prophecy,” he continued, explaining that her mother had written the word prophecy and next to it the words “Levelland Washington.”
“Look at (God) in 50 years,” he exclaimed. “So if he can do this for me, there’s nothing you can’t do.”
Washington’s wife of more than 40 years, Pauletta, also attended the ceremony and spoke about her husband while holding back tears.
“Forty-five, 46 years later, I’m still standing here next to him, because only God can have that,” she said. “That’s why I’m so proud of you. You’re the master of our home and you’ve set a great example for our children because we’ve taught them the difference. .The children are now grown children who know the difference.”
Mr. Washington’s grandchildren also attended the ceremony and helped lead the prayers.
