01 / OVERVIEW
Respecting your privacy.
Word of Life Church is a Christian church located in Crest Hill, Illinois. When you visit our website or connect with us online, certain personal information may be collected.
This policy explains the types of information involved, how we use that information, and how you can contact us with questions or requests regarding your privacy.
02 / INFORMATION
Information we collect.
The information we receive depends on how you interact with our church.
Forms and church communication
When you complete a form, we may receive your name, email address, telephone number, and any information you choose to provide. This can include guest connections, prayer requests, event registrations, ministry interests, baptism inquiries, and child dedication requests.
Online giving
When you give online, Tithe.ly and its payment partners process your transaction. The church may receive donation records and donor contact details made available through that service. Payment information is handled through the payment provider's systems.
Website activity
Our website platform and embedded services may automatically receive technical information such as your IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited, or information collected through cookies and similar technologies.
03 / PURPOSE
How we use information.
We use information to support the ministry and administrative work of Word of Life Church. Depending on the circumstances, this may include:
- Responding to your questions, prayer requests, and requests for pastoral care.
- Helping you connect with a ministry or take a next step at church.
- Managing event registrations and church activities.
- Maintaining giving records and related administrative information.
- Following up about matters you have contacted us about.
- Supporting the operation and improvement of our website and communications.
04 / ACCESS
Sharing and access.
Information you provide may be accessed by church staff, ministry leaders, or authorized volunteers who are involved in responding to your request or managing the activity concerned.
Our forms and administrative systems may also send submission notifications through church email accounts or ministry communication tools, including GroupMe. The information included in a notification depends on the form and its configuration.
Information may also be handled by technology providers that support our website, forms, payments, communications, or church administration, or disclosed when legally required.
05 / SERVICES
Outside services and websites.
We use outside platforms to provide certain features and services. These may include:
- Tithe.ly: Website hosting, online giving, and related church services.
- Tally: Online forms and submissions.
- GroupMe and email services: Submission notifications and internal communication.
- YouTube: Livestreams, sermons, and embedded videos.
These services may process information according to their own terms and privacy policies. Some may use cookies or similar technologies when their content is displayed.
You can also manage or block certain cookies using your browser settings. Blocking cookies may affect how some website features work.
06 / FAMILIES
Children's information.
Some church activities and forms involve children, including WOLC Kids, youth ministries, and child dedication requests.
Parents or legal guardians should complete forms involving their children's personal information when appropriate. Information provided about a child may be used to respond to the family's request or coordinate the relevant ministry activity.
If you are a parent or guardian and have concerns about information submitted regarding your child, please contact our church office.
07 / RESPONSIBILITY
Security and retention.
We recognize that the information people share with a church can be personal, especially when it concerns prayer, family needs, or pastoral care.
We aim to handle that information responsibly and use appropriate administrative and technical safeguards. However, no method of electronic storage or transmission can be guaranteed completely secure.
Information may be retained as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, church administration, recordkeeping, or applicable legal obligations. Different types of records may have different retention requirements.
For sensitive information, please avoid including details in a general website form that you would prefer to discuss privately with a pastor or church representative.
08 / YOUR CHOICES
Questions about your information?
You may contact us if you would like to ask what personal information we hold about you, request a correction, ask about removing information, or discuss how your information has been used.
We will review requests in light of our records, applicable legal requirements, and the administrative responsibilities of the church. Certain information, including some donation and financial records, may need to be retained.
09 / UPDATES
Changes to this policy.
We may update this policy as our website, church operations, or privacy practices change. The date displayed at the top of this page indicates when the published policy was last updated.
