Denzel Washington recounts the sequence of events that followed like it was yesterday in an Access Hollywood interview:
It was March 27, 1975. I started acting four months later. She said,
“You know young man, you are going to travel the world and speak or preach to millions of people…
She said that, and then she wrote “prophecy.” She couldn’t even spell it well. Then my mother wrote “preacher.” And then I wrote my name—and it was on a blue envelope; I still have it. So when she left, I said to my mother, “Who was that lady?” She said, “Well, she’s one of the oldest church members in town, and she’s known to have the gift of prophecy.”
This was supposed to be my life. She actually called it before… It’s nothing I did. It’s by the grace of God.
Denzel Washington just sat there in shock. He had just flunked out of school, and the young man had a hard time soaking up what he was hearing. But lo and behold, he is now living in the calling that seemed beyond his wildest dreams over 40 years ago. It may be hard to believe, but it happened!
“I knew I had a purpose,” Denzel Washington added of the unexpected encounter.
It was through Denzel Washington’s start as an actor that he has been given the platform to reach millions and millions of people with his message of hope and God’s greatness. This purpose motivated him; it drove him forward, and was part of his success today.
On T.D. Jakes’ talk show, Denzel elaborated on his life mission. He also charged listeners with two powerful questions that he wanted them to spend time considering:
“Who have you lifted up? Who have you made better? Today. That’s what I’m about… I’m in the service business. I’m here to serve God. I’m here to serve my family.”
Watch the video below as Denzel tells the story of the bold stranger–that woman who had stared at him in the beauty salon mirror so many years ago–who predicted his journey to greatness. And now, today…Denzel Washington is a preacher through his work as an actor, and he is now grateful to be living in today. Watch this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcmiG6e6WzE