This policy explains how Word First (“we,” “us”) handles personal information when you visit this website, subscribe to our newsletter, request a speaker, or otherwise contact us.
Who we are
Word First is the teaching and discipleship ministry behind this website. For privacy questions, email hello@wordfirst.org.
Information we collect
We collect information in these situations:
- Newsletter signup. If you subscribe, we collect your email address and send it to Substack, which hosts the Word First publication at wordfirst.substack.com. Substack may also receive the page you signed up from.
- Speaking requests. The speaking form asks for your name, title, email, organization, website, event dates and location, topic, audience details, honorarium, and any notes you add. We use that information to evaluate and respond to the invitation.
- Email. If you write to hello@wordfirst.org, we receive the contents of your message and your email address.
- Technical data. Our hosting provider, Cloudflare, processes standard request data such as IP address, browser type, and the pages requested, in order to deliver and protect the site.
This site does not have user accounts or a store checkout.
How we use it
We use personal information to:
- send the newsletter you requested, and related ministry updates;
- respond to speaking requests and other messages;
- operate, secure, and understand use of the website;
- comply with law and protect the ministry from abuse or fraud.
We do not sell your personal information. We do not use it for unrelated third-party advertising of our own.
Cookies, analytics, and third-party tools
Some cookies and similar technologies are needed to run the site. Others are not strictly necessary:
- Google Tag Manager. Every page loads Google Tag Manager, which may load measurement or marketing tags configured for this site. Those tools can collect pages visited, approximate location from IP address, and device information, and may set cookies. See Google’s privacy policy.
- YouTube. Some pages embed videos hosted by YouTube (Google). Loading or playing an embed may set cookies and collect data under Google’s policies.
- Substack. Newsletter signup is processed by Substack. See Substack’s privacy policy.
- Amazon Associates. Some book links are affiliate links. Amazon may collect data if you follow those links, under Amazon’s own privacy notice.
- ESV Cross-Reference tool. Some articles load Crossway’s ESV scripture preview tool, which may request data from Crossway when you interact with a Bible reference.
Social links (Instagram, YouTube, and others) send you to those services. What they collect after you leave this site is governed by their own policies.
Who we share information with
We share information with the processors needed to run the ministry’s website and email:
- Cloudflare (hosting, content delivery, and Turnstile checks on speaking requests)
- Postmark (email for speaking requests)
- Substack (newsletter)
- Google (Tag Manager and YouTube embeds)
- Anyone you ask us to contact in connection with a speaking invitation (for example, confirming details with an event host)
We may also disclose information if required by law, or to protect the rights, safety, or property of Word First, our visitors, or others.
Several of these processors are in the United States. If you visit from elsewhere, your information may be processed in the U.S.
How long we keep it
- Newsletter addresses stay on the list until you unsubscribe or we close the list.
- Speaking requests and email correspondence are kept as long as needed to respond and to maintain a record of the conversation.
- Hosting and security logs are kept for a limited time for operations and abuse prevention.
- Analytics retention follows the settings of the tools loaded through Google Tag Manager.
Your choices and rights
You can unsubscribe from the newsletter using the link in any Word First email. You can ask us to access, correct, or delete personal information we hold by emailing hello@wordfirst.org. Depending on where you live, you may also have rights to restrict or object to certain processing, and to lodge a complaint with a data-protection authority.
Browser controls can block or delete cookies. Blocking some cookies may affect how the site works.
Children
This website is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them. If you believe a child has submitted information to us, email hello@wordfirst.org and we will delete it.
Changes
We may update this policy when our practices change. The “Last updated” date at the top will change when we do. Continued use of the site after an update means you are looking at the current version.
Contact
Please send any privacy questions: hello@wordfirst.org.