Legendary actor Denzel Washington was baptized at a New York City church over the weekend during a service that also saw him begin his journey into the ministry as he told the congregation, "to God be the glory."
The two-time Academy Award winner is best known for such movies as Glory, Remember the Titans, and The Book of Eli, but on Saturday, he stood in front of the Kelly Temple Church of God in Christ and dedicated his life to serving God. The church is located in Harlem. The First Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ livestreamed the service.
"Do you believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and Jesus Christ, His Son who died on the cross for our sins?" a pastor asked Washington.
"I do," the actor responded.
After Washington was immersed, he lifted his hands in worship.
He also received a minister's license, which will allow him to be trained for the ministry. His ordination will come later.
"He has acknowledged the call of the Lord to the gospel ministry," a presiding minister said.
"Lord, you have called him into the ministry," the pastor prayed.
Washington, 69, then gave his testimony.
"Man gives the award. God gives the reward. That's what my mother told me about the eighth or ninth time I lost an Academy Award," he said to laughter.
He then recounted how a family friend 50 years ago had prophesied Washington would impact the world.
"I was 20 when I sat in my mother's beauty parlor, and Ms. Ruth Green was known to have the gift of prophecy," Washington said. "... She said, 'Boy, you are going to travel the world and preach to millions of people.'
"And 50 years later, look at God," he said. "If He can do this for me, there's nothing He can't do for you. God is good all the time. God is with us when we're not with Him. He's for us when we're not for Him. He watches us when we don't watch Him. He protects us when we don't protect ourselves, and He gives to us when we don't deserve. So I'm thankful for all that God has given me in 70 years."
"To God be the glory," he said.
Washington will train next year for the ministry.
"Anything and everything I can do, I will do for this church, for the Almighty," Washington said. "I just want to be in that number when the saints go marching in."
Photo Credit: ©Facebook/First Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ ENY
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
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