(AP) - A Long Island pastor says one of hiscongregants donated a lottery ticket to his church just afterscratching it off and realizing it was worth $3 million.

Pastor Bertrand Crabbe of the True North Community Churchof Port Jefferson says the donor, who asked to remain anonymous,said, "This was why God put the ticket in his hands."

A state Lottery official said Wednesday that the church will getat least $102,225 a year through the year 2028. The amount could behigher if withheld taxes are refunded because of the church'snonprofit status.

Crabbe says the independent Christian church will give away thefirst year's proceeds to other charities.