Posted on 12/27/2011 7:32:37 AM PST by SeekAndFind
American Idol runner-up David Archuleta will take a break from his singing career to serve a two-year proselytizing mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The contestant from the 2007-2008 season made the announcement during a Christmas concert Monday in downtown Salt Lake City, according to the Deseret News. The 20-year-old Miami native, who grew up in Murray, Utah, said he’s not quitting music, but feels a strong call to serve the church.
A video of the concert on Archuleta’s website shows him overwhelmed with emotion and crying as he talks about his plans. The crowd screams wildly with the news and gives him a standing ovation.
“It’s not because someone told me that I’m supposed to do it, and not because I no longer want to do music, but because it’s the feeling that I’ve felt I need to do this with my life,” Archuleta told the crowd.
Archuleta was 16 and one of the youngest contestants when he competed on the seventh season of American Idol. The runner-up has since released three albums, one of which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart.
In 2010, he performed with the Grammy-winning Mormon Tabernacle choir at the group’s annual Christmas concert.
Church spokesman Eric Hawkins confirmed that Archuleta had been called on a mission by the faith. Hawkins said he didn’t know when Archuleta was scheduled to report for missionary training.
The location of Archuleta’s mission has not been disclosed either by him or church officials.
Statistics released in April show the church has more than 52,200 members currently are serving full-time proselytizing or service missions worldwide. About 75 percent of missionaries are men between 19 and 21. Single women over 21 and retired couples make up the remaining 25 percent.
Single men typically serve for two years, and women and couples serve for 18 months.
Missionaries volunteer for service, but must be selected by program officials in Salt Lake City. They are not paid and must cover their own expenses while in the field. The church has more than 350 missions worldwide.
I wonder if his return from service will coincide with the last season of Idol.
Good for him. He’s putting his belief in Christ and service to his church ahead of his musical career.
Quite refreshing to hear that there are still some kids who have high morals and character.
Watched the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas special. Wasn’t this the guest singer? Had not realized he was Mormon. Michael York was also a guest. Wonder if he’s Mormon too.
The show was really lovely.
I always liked him. The thread mocked him terribly here but he was a good kid. His dad though was nearly thrown off the set a lot. He came in second as he deserved. David cook rightfully deserved to win.
The funniest DVR moment in our house was when the final show happened to go over the time limit. We watched the whole two hours when the DVR stopped recording right as Ryan sea crest was saying to the two nervous finalists, “and the winner of American idol is... David...”CLICK.
We raced for the Internet to see which David had won. Ha ha ha!
Michael York isn’t Mormon. Walter Cronkite was the guest host / conductor the year before too, he isn’t Mormon either.
Good for Archuleta! I agree, he has his priorities straight!
Thanks for the pic!
Thanks for the info!
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