“American Idol” Season 7 runner-up David Archuleta has decided to put his music career on hold for two years so he can serve a full-time mission for the Mormon church.
According to Billboard, the always smiling 20-year-old made the big announcement at the Salt Lake City, Utah stop of his My Kind of Christmas Tour .
“I can’t tell you how special it’s been being able to come back here,” Archuleta told fans in his hometown. “There’s no place like home. I always say that… While I’m home in front of you guys here tonight, I would like to make a special announcement that I’ve chosen to serve a full-time mission.”
An emotional Archuleta seemed astounded as the crowd burst into applause and cheers at the news.
“It’s the feeling that has allowed me to have the opportunities that I’ve had, the challenges that I’ve overcome and the blessings, too,” David continued, while wiping away tears. “And I’ve learned to trust that feeling, and I’ve learned that I need to answer when it calls. And that is the reason why I know I need to do this in my life.”
A spokesperson for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints said he did not know where Archuleta would be serving, but said, ‘We’d leave the decision to reveal that information up to him.”
Archuleta’s mission is expected to begin shortly after the 1st of the January.
You can watch David’s emotional Mormon mission announcement in the video below:
How do you feel about David Archuleta’s decision to join the mission field? Do you wish more celebrities (and ordinary Joes for that matter) would realize that it is better to give than to receive?
