Denzel Washington Baptized, Becomes Minister Ahead of 70th Birthday

Denzel Washington‘s faith journey is taking flight.

The Gladiator II actor got baptized and received his minister license ahead of his 70th birthday during a ceremony at the Kelly Temple Church of God in Christ in Harlem, New York, Dec. 21. The license would allow him to be ordained, should be choose to do so in the future.

Denzel, 69, was joined by wife Pauletta Washington, who sat in the congregation during the service, which First Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ Eastern New York livestreamed on Facebook.

“In one week I turn 70,” he said during the livestream. “It took a while, but I’m here.”

The Oscar winner also spoke about his faith during the ceremony, and recalled that after “about the eighth or ninth time I lost an Academy Award,” his late mother Lennis Washington told him that “man gives the award, God gives the reward.”

Denzel also told the story of a prophecy he received from a woman named Ruth Green at the age of 20 while sitting in Lennis’ hair salon.