David Archuleta announces plans for two-year missionary work

American Idol runner-up David Archuleta announced that he is taking some time off to become a Mormon missionary for two years.

He told his audience in Salt Lake City on Monday the news, the N.Y. Daily News reported.

"I've chosen to serve a full-time mission," he told his fans.

The fan favorite broke down in tears on stage and ensured his fans he doesn’t want to stop music, but he feels like being a missionary is the next step in his life, Fox News reported.

"It's because it's what I feel I need to do next in my life. It's the same feeling that I've always tried to follow in my life," the 20-year-old added.

The crowd gave him a standing ovation as he announced that he will be serving for two years at an unknown location for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

As a missionary, Archuleta will be expected to adhere to a strict schedule of studying Scripture, learning the local language and evangelizing.

Archuleta was a fan favorite in the 2007 American Idol competition and his first album sold nearly one million copies. His next album, The Other Side of Down, however, only sold 60,000 copies. He was dropped by Jive Records in February.