Privacy Policy.
The River Ministries, operating The Forge ("we," "us," or "our"), is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit ministry. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect information when you visit our website, register for events, submit a form, give a gift, or sign up to receive messages from us. We collect only what we need to carry out our ministry and serve the people who connect with us.
Information we collect
We collect information you provide directly to us, including your name, email address, mailing address, and phone number when you register for an event or retreat, submit a liability release or reservation form, make a donation, or opt in to our text or email messages. When you give online, payment details are processed by our third-party payment provider and are not stored on our servers. We also collect limited technical information automatically when you use the site, such as your IP address, browser type, and pages visited.
How we use your information
We use the information we collect to coordinate events, retreats, and facility reservations; to communicate with you about gatherings, ministry updates, and outreach; to process and acknowledge donations; to respond to your questions; and to meet legal, accounting, and safety obligations. We do not sell your personal information, and we do not share it for the marketing or promotional purposes of others.
SMS & mobile information
The River Ministries / The Forge offers a text messaging program to share ministry updates, event and gathering details, reminders, and outreach communications with people who choose to receive them. By providing your mobile number and opting in — through a form on this site, a paper sign-up, or by texting us — you consent to receive recurring text messages from us at the number you provide, including messages sent using automated technology. Consent to receive text messages is not a condition of any purchase, donation, or participation in our programs.
Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. You can opt out at any time by replying STOP to any message; we will send a confirmation and you will not receive further messages. For help, reply HELP or contact us at [email protected] or (828) 845-4322.
No mobile information will be shared with third parties/affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. All of the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties.
Cookies & tracking
Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to keep the site functioning, remember your preferences, and understand how visitors use our pages. You can set your browser to refuse some or all cookies or to alert you when a site sets one; some parts of the site may not work as intended if you do.
Third-party services
We use trusted third-party services to operate our ministry, including GoHighLevel (website hosting, forms, email, and text messaging) and our donation and payment processors. These providers process information on our behalf and are bound by their own privacy and security obligations. We do not authorize them to use your information for their own marketing.
Data retention
We keep personal information only as long as needed to fulfill the purposes described in this policy, including event coordination, donor and financial recordkeeping, and our legal obligations. When information is no longer needed, we take reasonable steps to delete or de-identify it.
Your rights
You may request access to, correction of, or deletion of the personal information we hold about you, and you may withdraw your consent to receive messages at any time. To make a request, email [email protected] and we will respond within a reasonable time.
Children's privacy
Some of our events and activities involve minors, who participate with the consent of a parent or guardian. We do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children online without parental consent. If you believe a child has provided us information without such consent, please contact us and we will delete it.
Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the "Last updated" date above. Your continued use of the site after changes are posted means you accept the updated policy.
Contact us about privacy
Questions about this policy? Email [email protected], call (828) 845-4322, or write to us at 325 Sycamore Lane, Rutherfordton, NC 28139.