privacy policy
Last Updated: August 1, 2025
Bethania Iglesia Cristiana Familiar, Inc. (“Bethania,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) values and respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and safeguard your personal information when you interact with us in person, online, through digital platforms, or in connection with our ministry services and programs.
By engaging with Bethania, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.
Executive Summary
Bethania is a faith-based, nonprofit organization dedicated to serving our community. In fulfilling our mission, we handle certain personal information with the utmost discretion. We are committed to:
Collecting only what is necessary.
Using your information solely for ministry, operational, and legal purposes.
Retaining data only as long as required.
Never selling your information.
Providing you with rights to access, correct, or delete your data.
Part I – General Provisions
1. Data Controller
Bethania Iglesia Cristiana Familiar, Inc. is the organization responsible for processing your personal information. Questions or requests may be directed to:
privacy@bethaniahouston.com
6217 Southwest Freeway
Houston, TX 77074
2. Categories of Information Collected
Depending on your interaction with Bethania, we may collect:
Personal Identifiers: Name, mailing address, email, telephone number, date of birth, and family connections.
Transaction Information: Records of donations, purchases, or registrations.
Digital Identifiers: IP addresses, device information, login activity, and cookies.
Community Engagement Data: Connect Cards, prayer requests, pastoral care notes, discipleship milestones, and membership records.
Volunteer and Staff Information: Applications, training records, background checks, scheduling, and (for employees) payroll and HR records.
Sensitive Information: Religious affiliation, baptism records, medical or allergy details for participation in events, and emergency contact information.
3. Purposes of Processing
We use your information only for legitimate and defined purposes, including:
Supporting worship, ministry programs, and spiritual care.
Processing donations and providing receipts.
Managing member records and participation in church life.
Administering volunteer service and staff employment.
Providing secure access to digital platforms and accounts.
Organizing events, youth programs, and community initiatives.
Fulfilling legal, accounting, and compliance requirements.
4. Legal Bases for Processing
Our processing is based on:
Consent: e.g., when you submit a prayer request or authorize the use of a photograph.
Contractual necessity: e.g., registering for events or processing donations.
Legitimate interests: e.g., ensuring community safety and system security.
Legal obligations: e.g., tax recordkeeping or safeguarding minors.
5. Sharing of Information
We may share information, always under confidentiality, with:
Affiliated ministries and church entities assisting in community care.
Service providers who process donations, manage secure access, deliver communications, or support our IT and administrative systems.
Authorities if required by law or in protection of safety and rights.
We do not sell, rent, or trade personal data.
6. International Data Transfers
For individuals outside the United States, please note that your information will be transferred to and stored in the United States. By engaging with Bethania, you consent to this transfer.
7. Retention of Information
We retain information only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this Policy or as required by law:
Member and ministry records: retained while active plus a limited archival period.
Donation and financial data: retained at least seven years for accounting and IRS compliance.
Volunteer and employee records: retained in line with HR and nonprofit legal obligations.
Digital account access data: retained while an account is active; securely deleted upon request or termination.
8. Your Rights
You have the right to:
Access the personal information we hold about you.
Request correction or deletion of inaccurate or unnecessary data.
Withdraw consent for certain processing activities (such as communications).
Object to processing where allowed by law.
Manage your cookie preferences through your browser.
Part II – Digital & Online Services
1. Website and Cookies
Our website uses cookies and tracking technologies to measure traffic, improve services, and personalize experiences. You may disable cookies via your browser settings. At this time, we do not respond to Do Not Track signals and are evaluating Global Privacy Control (GPC).
2. Electronic Communications
By sharing your email or phone number, you consent to electronic communications, including newsletters, event updates, donation receipts, and urgent alerts.
You may opt out at any time via the “unsubscribe” link in emails or by replying STOP to SMS messages.
Standard carrier rates may apply.
3. Digital Account Access
To protect access to Bethania’s platforms, we use a secure identity and access provider. When you log in, authentication data (such as login history, device type, and multi-factor authentication events) may be collected. This information is used only for security and account administration.
Part III – In-Person Ministry & Locations
1. Donors and Financial Supporters
Donation records are confidential. Public recognition is given only with prior consent. All financial transactions are encrypted and processed by trusted financial intermediaries.
2. Members and Attendees
Membership applications, discipleship progress, and pastoral records are maintained to support your spiritual journey. Prayer requests and counseling notes are confidential and shared only with authorized pastoral staff.
3. Volunteers and Employees
We collect and process volunteer and staff data—including background checks, training records, and HR information—solely for ministry and organizational purposes. Employee payroll and HR data are maintained with strict confidentiality.
4. Youth and Minors
Parents or guardians must provide consent for participation in youth programs. Medical and allergy information may be collected for safety during camps and events. Photos and videos of minors are never published without written authorization from a parent or guardian.
Part IV – Special Provisions
Sensitive Information: Data relating to faith, health, or background checks is collected only when strictly necessary and always with consent.
International Users: If you are located outside the U.S., your data will be processed in the U.S. under this Policy.
Minors’ Rights: Parents may request review or deletion of their child’s personal information at any time.
Part V – Security & Policy Updates
1. Security Measures
We apply technical, organizational, and physical safeguards to protect your data. Online giving is encrypted. Digital accounts are secured with multi-factor authentication. While no method of transmission is completely secure, we take every reasonable step to minimize risk.
2. Changes to this Policy
This Policy may be updated to reflect legal, technical, or organizational changes. The “Last Updated” date at the top of the document indicates the most recent version. Continued engagement with Bethania after updates signifies acceptance.
Contact Us
Bethania Iglesia Cristiana Familiar, Inc.
6217 Southwest Freeway
Houston, TX 77074
privacy@bethaniahouston.com
(346) 319-2924
© Bethania Iglesia Cristiana Familiar, Inc., 2025. All Rights Reserved.