Members of a church are being challenged to match the amount of money they spent on Christmas presents and donate the cash to a charity helping orphans in Haiti.

Pastor Laurie Tingley has challenged the members of Centenary United Methodist Church, on Collectors Hill, to donate to Phillip Rego's Feed My Lambs charity.

Mr. Rego, 50, sold his landscaping company, Ideal Homes and Gardens, in March this year. Then a chance meeting with Charles Le Morzellec who runs the Eden Garden orphanage in Haiti, changed his life.

Now the father of two grown children plans to adopt a ten-year-old girl from the orphanage located near the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, and has dedicated his life to raising thousands of dollars to support the organisation.

Rev. Tingley said a member of the church, Renee DeSilva, brought her a brochure about the charity and she instantly knew it was the right fit.

"I had been wanting to challenge the congregation in this way and was praying I would find the right local charity and someone the congregation could put a face to.

"Mr. Rego is Bermudian. A week before issuing the challenge, one of parishioners came up and gave me a pamphlet about the ministry. I thought this is perfect, this was really what I was looking for," said the Rev. Tingley.

The church began collecting donations on the First Sunday of Advent and will continue to raise funds until Sunday, January 4.

Rev. Tingley added: "Anyone can donate. We just really believe that Christmas is not our birthday and we should be looking for ways to celebrate the gift of life God has given us and that's giving to others."

She said the money is being donated in 'Christmas Miracle' envelopes although to date there is no information on how much money has been collected or how many people have donated.

However, she added: "The words I'm getting from folks have really been encouraging. Folks have really looked forward to a way to live more simply so that others may simply live and that's the reason that we give."

Rev. Tingley explained in addition to collections in church, people have mailed in donations as well.

She said: "Every year we look forward to donating to charity. I'm really excited folks heard that and just got it. People are so willing to give if they know the need. This time of year is really taking back Christmas away from the commercialism and acknowledging the real meaning. It's been such a nice response."

The pastor said there was no fundraising target and added: "That's really between the individual and God. Whatever we spend on Christmas festivities and then we match that.

"I think we have a responsibility if we can give at all. We have a responsibility to know that we've been blessed. If you have anything share it."

To contact Mr. Rego, people can email him at feedmylambsministry@gmail.com or call him on 535-8934 or visit his website www.feedmylambministry.org or you donate directly to the charity's Bank of Bermuda account: 010305498012.