‘Idol” runner-up Archuleta to serve Mormon mission

Related Photos

David Archuleta AP Photo

December 23, 2011

AP Exchange Associated Press Fri Dec 23, 2011, 10:18 AM CST

SALT LAKE CITY — “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 KSL.com. 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.

Text Only

Religion Feature

Law enforcement officers honored by St. Barnabas
Law Enforcement Recognition Day was held recently at the Criminal Justice Building, of the Picayune Police Department.

May 19, 2012
Financial advice from the Bible
Financial how-to books come and go — they’re published by the hundreds every year. But Peter Grandich, dubbed “The Wall Street Whiz Kid” by Good Morning America’s Steve Crowley, says the one he relies on has been around for nearly 2,000 years.

May 4, 2012
Deacon ordination ceremony is Sunday at St. Paul Lutheran
Henleyfield resident Larry Wagoner is scheduled to be ordained a deacon in the Anglican-Catholic Church at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 29, 2012. The ordination will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Picayune, Wagoner said.

April 27, 2012
Opportunity to help one of our own
Jason Alligood is a local EMT and first responder/firefighter for Pine Grove Volunteer Fire Department. Alligood recently broke the head of his right humerus bone, putting him out of work for a minimum of two months without pay.

April 13, 2012 1 Photo
A journey from fear to faith
By Gwen “Ms. Chocolate” Williams/Special to the Item
I am convinced that satan’s most powerful weapon is fear. In this land of the free and the home of the brave most are held in bondage by fear. Because of what Jesus did on the cross we are set free to live abundantly, but fear teaches us to trust our common sense rather than trust God. I wonder what my life would have been had I been taught the love of God rather than the fear of God. I lived most of my childhood in fear of what God would do if I did something wrong. Praise God, I’ve learned to walk by faith living victoriously.

April 6, 2012
Mixed gospel quartet in free Hattiesburg concert
America’s Favorite Mixed (Male and Female) Gospel Quartet, the Award Winning Perrys, consisting of Tracy and Libbi Shuffle, lead singer, Joseph Habedank, and baritone, Bryan Walker, will be in concert Friday, April 13, 7 p.m. at Heritage United Methodist Church, Hwy 98 West of Baracuda Drive in Hattiesburg (Oak Grove).

March 23, 2012 1 Photo
Last member turns over keys to historic church
When 87-year-old opera star Lucia Hawkins Brown looks around her living room full of memories photos of her smiling with Lyndon B. Johnson, shaking the hand of an exuberant Richard Nixon or on stage with Johnny Carson, she remembers how she owes her start as a soloist to the Church of Christ, Scientist.

February 24, 2012
World Day of Prayer service set
The United Methodist Women of First United Methodist Church of Picayune invite the public to attend a World Day of Prayer service and luncheon on Friday, March 2.

February 17, 2012 1 Photo
‘Date Night Challenge’: Doing dating differently
Corinth Baptist Church of Nicholson will host a “Date Night Challenge”, Friday, Feb. 17, 2012, at 7 p.m.
Date Night Challenge, an event sponsored by Focus on the Family, is for those thinking of marriage, those who are engaged, and those who have been married for many years. I

February 17, 2012 1 Photo
Michigan couple on a ‘Journey for Jesus'
Mark and Deb Harris are on a Journey for Jesus.
That s the title of the Harris blog, which tells the tale of their journey to spread the Word and find a new home as they travel the land in their homemade covered wagon.

February 3, 2012
More Religion Feature Headlines

Religion Feature

Search Results

Related Photos

‘Idol” runner-up Archuleta to serve Mormon mission

Site Map

Contact Us