Church given $3 million lottery ticket

PORT JEFFERSON, N.Y. -- A New York pastor said one of his congregants donated a winning lottery ticket worth $3 million to his church.

Pastor Bertrand Crabbe of the True North Community Church in Port Jefferson said the donor, who asked to remain anonymous, donated the "Ba Da Bling" scratch-off ticket immediately after realizing he won.

Crabb said the donor said "This was why God put the ticket in his hands."

A state Lottery official said Wednesday that the independent Christian church will get a little over $100,000 a year through 2028. The amount could be higher if withheld taxes are refunded because of the church's not-for-profit status.

The 650-member church will give the first year's proceeds to other charities.