Denzel Washington finds second act with baptism and ministry license 50 years after prophesying

The Oscar-winning actor tells how the moment came full circle 50 years after a prophecy over his life.

Denzel Washington has apparently found his second act in life after being baptized and receiving his ministry training license Saturday in New York City. The Oscar-winning actor previously shared planning to retire from the film industry, celebrated the new chapter at Kelly Temple Church of God in Christ.

Washington, 69, was presented with a baptismal certificate and ministry training license from Kelly Temple, where he was joined by his wife Pauletta Washington. The moment came full circle for the legendary actor, who is nominated in the best supporting actor category at next year’s Golden Globes for his latest role in “Gladiator II.”

While at Kelly Temple, Washington, in 2023 TheGrio Awards honoredrecalls being 20 years old in his mother’s beauty salon, where Ruth Green, an apparent member of the Kelly Temple Church of God in Christ, prophesied that he would “travel the world and preach to millions of people.”

“She didn’t say you were going back to school. She didn’t say you were going to be an Oscar winner. She couldn’t even spell the word prophecy,” said Washington, who said his mother would later write down the word prophecy and “past Washington.” An emotional Denzel Washington added: “And 50 years later, look at … God.”

Feeling grateful for the turning point in his life, Washington, who turns 70 next week, told the congregation: “If he can do this for me and alone, there’s nothing he can’t do for you. The sky is literally the limit, and there’s no limit to the sky.”

He continued: “God is good all the time. God is with us. When we are not with him, he is for us. When we are not for him, he watches us when we do not see him. He protects us, when we do not protect ourselves, and he gives us when we do not deserve it.”

Washington’s wife, Pauletta, also addressed the congregation. She told how she and Denzel were introduced on a television.

“I’m very proud of you,” she told her husband of more than 40 years. “You are the head of our house and you have set a good example for our children who are now grown children and who know the difference because we have shown them the difference.”

Washington’s journey in the ministry follows his recent announcement in a recent interview that he plans to leave Hollywood after a few more roles.

“I don’t know how many more movies I’m going to make. Probably not that many,” he told Australia’s “Today Show.” Washington listed his next roles and suggested they could be his last — including his upcoming role in Ryan Coogler’s third installment of “Black Panther.”

While at the press junket for “Gladiator II,” Washington seemed to hint that his next move was connected to the church. Under one interview with Access Hollywood, he shared a story about being on a yacht and seeing the face of God in the sky.

“I … listened to a song called ‘God’s Face’ … I was in my prayer meditation, reading my Bible, and I’m like, Lord, everybody knows your face. I want to see,” the actor recalled. “Then I said it…I heard, “Look to your left.” So I looked to my left and I looked and I took and I took my phone and I went (gestures and took a picture).”

He told Access Hollywood’s Scott Evans, “I wasn’t put on this earth to act. I was put on this earth to share God’s example and power and wisdom and grace and mercy in my life.”

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