Terms and Conditions

Last Updated: 12 November 2024

1. Introduction

These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern your use of services provided by Faith, Hope & Love Ministries (FHLM), a nonprofit based in South Africa that offers global Christian ministry support and training through its ministry arm, FHLM Equip. By accessing FHLM services, including courses offered through FHLM Equip, you agree to comply with these Terms.

2. Services Overview

FHLM provides services designed to empower Christian leaders and support ministry growth worldwide. This includes training and resources through FHLM Equip, covering online courses (both free and paid), Bible study resources, social media support, and ministry development guidance. Access to FHLM services may be subject to payment, and all content remains the property of FHLM unless otherwise noted.

3. Eligibility

FHLM’s services are intended for individuals 18 years or older, or minors with parental consent. By accessing FHLM’s services, you confirm that you meet these eligibility requirements and have the authority to enter into a legally binding agreement.

4. Acceptable Use and Conduct

As a user of FHLM services, you agree to:

  • Engage respectfully and adhere to community guidelines in online forums, group sessions, and interactions.
  • Use FHLM Equip materials only for personal study or ministry development, without redistributing content unless explicitly permitted.
  • Respect the privacy and rights of other participants, particularly in online learning environments.

Prohibited Activities:

  • Harassment or discrimination against other users based on race, religion, gender, sexuality, disability, or any other protected characteristic.
  • Plagiarism, cheating, or using unauthorised resources in assessments.
  • Unauthorised access or attempts to access restricted accounts or data.
  • Misuse of FHLM proprietary materials or third-party content.

Consequences: Violations of acceptable use policies may result in immediate account suspension, being barred from FHLM’s website and learning platform, and having certificates cancelled without any refund where payment was made. In cases of serious breaches, including but not limited to illegal activities or severe misconduct, FHLM reserves the right to take legal action and report the offending user to relevant authorities. FHLM is committed to taking all necessary steps to ensure compliance and uphold the safety and integrity of its community.

Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment

FHLM is dedicated to fostering a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all users. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of harassment, discrimination, or behaviour that demeans, intimidates, or targets individuals based on race, religion, gender, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic. Violations of this policy will result in immediate suspension or termination of access, and serious incidents may be reported to relevant authorities for further action.

5. Intellectual Property and Licensing

All content provided by FHLM, including FHLM Equip materials, is protected under intellectual property laws. Content not explicitly marked with a Creative Commons license is copyrighted by FHLM, and users may not reproduce, distribute, or modify this content without prior written consent.

  • Creative Commons Content: Some FHLM resources are provided under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. This allows you to share and adapt this content for non-commercial purposes, provided you give appropriate credit to FHLM and share any adaptations under the same license. These materials will be clearly marked as Creative Commons content.
  • Third-Party Materials: Some materials referenced by FHLM may include articles, videos, or other content owned by third parties. FHLM does not claim ownership of such content, and all rights remain with the original copyright holders.

6. Advisory Disclaimer

All advice, training, and resources provided by FHLM are intended for spiritual growth and ministry development, as well as general Christian and business/leadership guidance. This advice is based on the experience and learning of the FHLM team and is not intended to replace professional, legal, financial, or other expert advice. FHLM makes no guarantees and encourages users to consult appropriate professionals for specific needs beyond the scope of FHLM’s services.

7. Payment Terms and Refund Policy

Some FHLM Equip courses require payment for access.

  • Payment: By enrolling in a paid course, you agree to pay all applicable fees.
  • Refund Policy: Refunds are available only if the user has accessed no more than the first module of the course. Users who access beyond the first module waive the right to a refund.
  • Assessment and Certification: FHLM Equip courses may require assessments to receive certification. No refunds are provided if a participant is unable to pass the required assessments. Certain courses are Open-CPD accredited, and certifications will be clearly marked as such. FHLM does not guarantee job placement or employer recognition of certificates or CPD points. Users are responsible for verifying certificate recognition with employers if this is a concern.

8. Data Protection, Retention, and Privacy

FHLM respects your privacy and complies with data protection laws, including GDPR (EU), POPIA (South Africa), and equivalent laws in other jurisdictions.

  • Data Retention: FHLM retains user data to fulfil purposes such as certification validation, compliance with accreditation standards, and legal requirements. Retention details include:
    • Course Data, Account Information, and Certification Records: Retained for a period of ten years to ensure the continued validity of certifications, particularly for Open-CPD-accredited courses. If a user requests deletion of their data within this period, FHLM may no longer be able to verify their certification or provide course verification, rendering the certificate invalid.
    • Financial Records: Retained for a minimum of seven years in compliance with legal and accounting requirements.
  • Data Deletion: Upon account closure, FHLM will delete personal data except where retention is required by law or necessary for certification validation. Users wishing to maintain certification validity and verification services must agree to FHLM’s data retention policy for the full ten-year period. For further details, refer to our Privacy Policy.

9. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

FHLM provides all materials, resources, and guidance in good faith, with the aim of supporting spiritual growth and ministry development. However, FHLM does not guarantee specific outcomes from the use of FHLM Equip or any other service.

  • No Warranties: FHLM’s services are provided on an “as is” basis, and FHLM disclaims all warranties, express or implied.
  • Liability Limitation: FHLM, its officers, directors, and affiliates will not be liable for any indirect, consequential, incidental, or punitive damages arising from your use of FHLM’s services. This limitation applies to the maximum extent permitted by law.

10. Compliance, Termination of Access, and Appeals

FHLM reserves the right to terminate access to its services, including the cancellation of certificates, if users fail to comply with these Terms, all other FHLM policies, or demonstrate behaviours deemed unacceptable, such as cheating or plagiarism.

  • Cheating and Plagiarism: FHLM upholds strict standards of academic integrity. Users are required to complete all assessments, assignments, and coursework honestly, without plagiarising or using unauthorised assistance. Instances of cheating, plagiarism, or other dishonest behaviour will result in immediate suspension or revocation of access, cancellation of certificates, and forfeiture of any fees paid. Please read the full Cheating and Plagiarism Policy here.
  • Termination: Users who violate FHLM’s terms, policies, or community guidelines may have access revoked without refund or recourse.
  • Appeals: In the event of termination, users may submit an appeal, which will be reviewed by FHLM’s board of directors. The board’s decision is final, and this decision will not set a precedent or affect the organisation’s discretion for future appeals.

11. External Links

FHLM’s website and FHLM Equip may contain links to external sites. These links are provided for convenience and do not imply FHLM endorsement of their content. FHLM is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of any external sites.

12. Course Completion, Certification, and Academic Integrity

Upon successful completion of paid courses in FHLM Equip, participants may receive a certificate of completion.

  • Certification Requirements: Certificates are awarded only when course requirements, including assessments, are fully met.
  • Academic Integrity: FHLM is committed to upholding academic honesty in all courses. Users agree to complete assessments and assignments honestly, without plagiarism, cheating, or unauthorised assistance. Violations of this policy may result in suspension or revocation of access, and any awarded certificates may be voided without refund.
  • Non-Transferable: Certification is issued solely to the registered participant and may not be transferred or reproduced.

13. Accessibility Statement

FHLM is committed to making its content and services accessible to all users, regardless of ability. We strive to accommodate diverse needs and adhere to accessibility standards wherever possible. If you have specific accessibility requirements, please contact support@fhlm.org for assistance.

14. Modifications to Services and Terms

FHLM reserves the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any service, including FHLM Equip, at any time. Additionally, we may update these Terms as necessary to reflect changes in services or legal requirements. Please note that individual notifications of updates will not be sent out. We encourage users to review these Terms periodically to stay informed of any changes. The date of the latest update is noted at the top of this document.

15. Compliance with Local Laws

While FHLM is a South African-based nonprofit, we strive to comply with relevant legal requirements globally, including EU, UK, and US standards. It is your responsibility to ensure compliance with your local laws when using our services, particularly where online learning or payment terms may vary by jurisdiction.

16. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by the laws of South Africa, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any disputes arising from these Terms shall be resolved exclusively in South African courts, except where applicable law requires a different resolution method.

17. Contact Information

For any questions regarding these Terms or your use of FHLM’s services, please contact us at:

Faith, Hope & Love Ministries (FHLM)
Legal & Compliance Email: legal@fhlm.org
Support Email: support@fhlm.org
General Email: info@fhlm.org
Address: 15 Rhodes Avenue, Komga, 4950, South Africa
Contact Number (South Africa): +27 11 568 0988
Contact Number (UK): +44 2038074499
Contact Number (US): +1 2342310010

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