Privacy Policy

Ephrata Christian Fellowship
400 West Main Street
Ephrata, PA 17522
(717) 721-7775
contact@ephratacf.org

Effective Date: September 1, 2026

Ephrata Christian Fellowship respects the privacy of those who visit our website and those who provide personal information through it. This Privacy Policy explains the information we collect through our website, how we use it, and how we seek to handle that information responsibly.

1. Information We Collect

The information we collect depends upon how you use our website. This may include information you voluntarily provide as well as limited information collected automatically through normal website operation.

Information submitted through our Bible School application may include:

• Name
• Birthdate
• Mailing address
• Telephone number
• Parent or guardian names and contact information
• Pastor or church leader names and contact information
• Responses to questions concerning the applicant’s Christian faith, spiritual life, beliefs, and desire to attend Bible School

Other information may be collected when an individual makes an online contribution or voluntarily contacts the church through the website.

We seek to collect only information that is reasonably necessary for the ministry or administrative purpose for which it is requested.

2. Bible School Applications

Individuals applying to Bible School are asked to provide basic identifying and contact information along with responses to a spiritual questionnaire.

The spiritual questionnaire helps the Bible School administration understand the applicant’s Christian testimony, spiritual interests, beliefs, and reasons for wanting to attend Bible School. This information is used as part of our application and acceptance process and to help us fulfill the spiritual and educational purposes of the Bible School.

Information submitted through a Bible School application may be used to:

• Review and evaluate the application
• Communicate with the applicant
• Communicate with a parent or guardian when appropriate
• Contact the applicant’s pastor or church leader when appropriate
• Make decisions concerning acceptance and participation
• Prepare for and administer the Bible School program
• Maintain appropriate administrative records

Bible School application information is intended for church and Bible School purposes. Access will be limited to church leaders, Bible School administrators, and others who reasonably need the information to carry out responsibilities related to the application or Bible School program.

3. Parent and Pastor Contact Information

Applicants may provide contact information for their parents or guardians and pastors or church leaders.

This information may be used when reasonably appropriate in connection with the application, acceptance process, communication, or administration of the Bible School program.

We do not use this information for unrelated commercial or marketing purposes.

4. Online Giving

When you make a contribution through our website, certain information may be collected to process the transaction and maintain appropriate contribution records.

Online giving may be processed through a third-party payment provider. Financial information such as credit card or bank account information may therefore be collected and processed directly by that provider rather than being stored by Ephrata Christian Fellowship.

Ephrata Christian Fellowship may receive and maintain information such as the donor’s name, contact information, contribution amount, date, fund or purpose selected, and other information necessary for contribution records and receipts.

Third-party payment providers may maintain information according to their own privacy policies and terms.

5. How We Use Personal Information

Information collected through our website may be used to:

• Process and administer Bible School applications
• Communicate with applicants, parents, pastors, and others as appropriate
• Respond to questions or requests
• Process and record contributions
• Provide contribution receipts or other requested information
• Maintain appropriate church and ministry records
• Operate and improve our website
• Protect the security and proper operation of our website
• Fulfill applicable administrative, financial, or legal responsibilities

Ephrata Christian Fellowship does not sell personal information collected through our website.

6. Sharing of Personal Information

We do not sell or rent personal information to outside organizations for marketing purposes.

Information may be shared when reasonably necessary with church leaders, Bible School administrators, ministry personnel, or service providers who assist us in operating the website, processing online giving, or administering the Bible School program.

Information may also be disclosed when required by law or when reasonably necessary to protect the church, its ministries, or other individuals.

We endeavor to limit access to personal information to those who have a legitimate reason to use it.

7. Website and Technical Information

Our website or the services used to operate it may automatically collect limited technical information, such as browser or device type, Internet Protocol (IP) address, pages visited, and general website usage information.

Cookies or similar technologies may be used to support website functionality, security, or basic website analytics.

This information may be used to maintain, secure, and improve the website and to understand generally how the website is being used.

8. Third-Party Services and Links

Our website may use or link to third-party services, including services used for online giving, video or livestream hosting, website hosting, forms, or other website functions.

When you use a third-party service, information may be collected or processed according to that provider’s own privacy policy and terms. Ephrata Christian Fellowship is not responsible for the privacy practices of independently operated third-party websites or services.

9. Protection of Personal Information

Ephrata Christian Fellowship seeks to use reasonable administrative and technical measures to protect personal information against unauthorized access, misuse, loss, or disclosure.

However, no website, electronic transmission, or electronic storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

10. Retention of Information

We may retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected and for legitimate church, ministry, administrative, financial, or legal recordkeeping purposes.

Bible School application and participation records may be retained as appropriate for administration of the program and church records.

Information that is no longer reasonably needed may be deleted or securely disposed of according to our normal recordkeeping practices.

11. Applicants Under 18

Some Bible School applicants may be under the age of 18.

When appropriate, Ephrata Christian Fellowship may communicate with or request the involvement of a parent or legal guardian in connection with the application or participation in the Bible School program.

Parents or guardians who have questions concerning information submitted by or concerning a minor may contact the church.

12. Corrections and Questions

If you believe information you have provided to us is incorrect, or if you have questions or concerns about how your information is being used, you may contact Ephrata Christian Fellowship.

Where reasonably possible and appropriate, we will work with you to correct inaccurate information or address your concern.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

Ephrata Christian Fellowship may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our website, ministries, practices, or applicable requirements.

The current version will be posted on our website with its effective date.

14. Contact Us

Questions concerning this Privacy Policy or the handling of personal information may be directed to:

Ephrata Christian Fellowship
400 West Main Street
Ephrata, PA 17522
Phone: (717) 721-7775
Email: contact@ephratacf.org