PRIVACY POLICY

Effective Date: 7/9/2026

At Elmira Baptist Church, we respect your privacy and are committed to protecting the personal information you share with us. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, use our mobile app, or interact with our online services.

 

1. Information We Collect

We collect information that you voluntarily provide to us when you interact with our ministry. This includes:

• Personal Information: Names, email addresses, phone numbers, and physical mailing addresses provided when you sign up for newsletters, fill out connection cards, or register for church events.

• Financial Information: Credit card numbers, bank account details, and billing addresses collected securely when you submit tithes, offerings, or payments for events.

• Prayer Requests and Testimonies: Information or personal stories you voluntarily submit to us through online forms.

 

2. Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, our servers may automatically log standard data provided by your web browser, which may include:

• Device Data: Your IP address, browser type, operating system, and device identifier.

• Usage Data: The pages you visit, the time and date of your visit, and the time spent on each page.

• Cookies: Small data files used to improve website navigation and analyze website traffic. You can disable cookies in your browser settings.

 

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information to support our ministry operations and serve our community. Key uses include:

• Processing your online donations, tithes, and event registrations.

• Sending church updates, newsletters, and devotional materials.

• Responding to your questions, prayer requests, and contact inquiries.

• Maintaining accurate church records and membership directories.

• Improving our website performance and user experience.

 

4. Sharing and Disclosing Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or lease your personal information to third parties. We may share your data in the following limited circumstances:

• Service Providers: Trusted third-parties who assist us in operating our website, processing payments (e.g., Stripe, Tithe.ly, PayPal), or software for managing church databases. These providers are contractually obligated to keep your data secure.

• Legal Requirements: When required by law, subpoena, or government regulation to protect the rights, property, or safety of the church, its members, or the public.

 

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal data from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. Online financial transactions are handled using encrypted Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology through our certified payment processors.

 

6. Children's Privacy

Our ministry values the safety of children. We do not knowingly collect personal information online from children without verifiable parental consent. If we learn that a child has provided us with personal information without parental consent, we will delete that data immediately.

 

7. Your Choices and Rights

You have control over how your information is handled:

• Opt-Out: You can unsubscribe from our email newsletters at any time by clicking the "unsubscribe" link at the bottom of the email.

• Access and Correction: You can contact us at any time to review, update, or request the deletion of the personal information we have on file for you.

 

8. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal obligations. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new policy on this page with a revised "Effective Date."