Terms & Conditions

Verso Ministries

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

All pilgrims participating on a Verso Ministries pilgrimage must read, review, understand, and agree with the terms and conditions provided below. The following terms and conditions will govern the agreement between Verso Ministries, LLC (“Verso Ministries”, “we”, “us”, “our”) and any participant on a Verso Ministries pilgrimage. The terms “you” and “participant” refers to any participant on a Verso Ministries pilgrimage.

AGREEMENT TO BE BOUND/CHANGES TO TERMS AND CONDITIONS: By booking your travel with us and/or participating in a Verso Ministries pilgrimage, you are agreeing to be bound by the following terms and conditions together with any additional documentation we give you (“The Agreement”) and any additional terms and conditions of any Supplier that are applicable to your travel arrangement. The Agreement describes what you are legally entitled to expect from us when you book your trip through us, in addition to important obligations you enter into as a participant that affect your legal rights. Therefore, it is of vital importance that you read the terms and conditions in their entirety. Verso Ministries is not responsible for any participant’s unawareness of the Terms and Conditions due to the failure of the group leader to share this information with all participants. If you do not agree with our terms and conditions you must speak with us before making any booking.

You acknowledge and agree that we may change these Terms and Conditions from time to time and that those changes become effective immediately. If we make material changes, we will provide you notice. Your continued use of our services following the notice of any changes constitutes your acceptance and agreement to be bound by such changes. You agree to be bound by the Terms and Conditions that are in effect at the time of travel or cancellation.

COVID 19 RELEASE OF LIABILITY: Participant expressly acknowledges that naturally occurring diseases and viruses (including, but not limited to, the currently widespread COVID-19) may be present and actively occurring in all environments in which your travel will take place as well as other places where your pilgrimage takes place, such as airports, airplanes, terminals, trains, ferries and the like. You acknowledge the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has been declared a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization. You acknowledge that COVID-19 has made travel uncertain due to government closures and other travel restrictions. COVID-19 is extremely contagious and is believed to spread mainly from person-to-person contact (however the exact method of spread remains unknown). You also understand that if you are older or have underlying conditions, you may be more prone to serious infection and death due to COVID-19. As a result of the highly infectious nature of this disease, federal, state, and local government health agencies recommend social distancing, wearing of PPE (including masks), and have, in many locations, prohibited the congregation of groups of people. You acknowledge that exposure to such viruses or disease is an inherent risk of traveling, that cannot be controlled or eliminated by Verso Ministries, LLC. 

By booking a trip at this time, you acknowledge the highly contagious nature of COVID-19 and voluntarily assume the risk for yourself and any minors traveling with you, that you or they may be exposed to or infected by COVID-19 by traveling and that such exposure or infection may result in personal injury, illness, permanent disability, and death even if such injuries or losses occur in a manner that is not foreseeable at the time you book your trip. 

You acknowledge that due to the uncertainty of travel at this time, your trip may be postponed or cancelled or changes may be made to itineraries due to closures of certain sites or activities, for which there may be no refund. You may also be required to quarantine upon arrival in some locations. You understand that you may become sick before, during, or after the trip and may not be able to travel and such cancellation or interruption will be subject to our cancellation terms below, for which we will not be liable. 

You agree that due to uncertainty caused by COVID 19, Verso Ministries, LLC has strongly encouraged the purchase of travel protection coverage including cancel for any reason coverage if and when available, and that should you fail to purchase travel protection coverage, Verso Ministries, LLC shall not be liable to any losses howsoever arising.

You, for yourself, and any minors traveling with you, and on behalf of your and their heirs, assigns, personal representatives and next of kin, HEREBY RELEASE, INDEMNIFY, AND HOLD HARMLESS Verso Ministries, LLC, its members. officers, agents, and/or employees, suppliers, and other tour members (RELEASEES), of, from and against any and all claims, damages, demands, losses, and liability arising out of or related in any way, in whole or in part to any POSTPONEMENT, CANCELLATION, CHANGES, INJURY, DISABILITY, DEATH OR ANY OTHER LOSS you may suffer due to exposure, infection, spread, closure, and travel restrictions related to COVID- 19, WHETHER ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES OR OTHERWISE, to the fullest extent permitted by law. The terms of this INDEMNIFICATION, HOLD HARMLESS AND RELEASE OF ALL LIABILITY paragraph, shall survive any termination or cancellation of this Contract, whether by operation of law or otherwise.

REGISTRATION: Unless otherwise noted, individual pilgrims will register with and submit payments directly to Verso Ministries. To reserve space on a pilgrimage, each individual pilgrim must make the required deposit (payable by credit/debit card, cash, check, or money order) and submit a completed registration form. Registration can be done online at www.versoministries.com or by calling the Verso Ministries office at (574) 383-9396. If traveling with a group, the Group Leader retains full responsibility for ensuring the minimum number of full-paying pilgrims is met.

PAYMENTS: The operation of pilgrimages requires extensive long-term planning, costs are incurred long before the actual departure date, including non-refundable deposits paid to suppliers. Because of this each pilgrimage departure has a required payment schedule. Typically, the payment schedule is as follows: $500 required deposit upon registration with the balance due 120 days prior to departure. However, in some cases alternate payment schedules will be listed. Please refer to the exact payment schedule for each pilgrimage which is listed on the information page for each pilgrimage listed on the www.versoministries.com website.

In the event of any non-payment of any required payments according to the payment schedule, Verso Ministries reserves the right to cancel the reservation according to the terms listed in the cancellation schedule. In the event of any billing errors, Verso Ministries reserves the right to re-invoice the correct amount. We reserve the right to refuse a booking without giving any reason and shall, in that event only, return any deposit received. Reservations are transferable at the sole discretion of Verso Ministries.

While we do accept major credit cards including Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover, you must provide to us a signed charge authorization agreement or click authorization for every transaction for your trip. Your authorization is a binding agreement for us to charge your card and as such you waive any right to chargeback in the case of cancellation for any cause whatever, including a Force Majeure event, as defined herein, and agree to refund policies and procedures as outlined in these Terms and Conditions. In the event a Participant attempts to chargeback, reverse, or recollect a trip payment already made without the authorization of Verso Ministries, we reserve the right to collect all additional costs, fees and expenses associated with such chargeback, reversal or recollection, including, without limitation, attorney fees.

CANCELLATION FEES AND REFUNDS: All cancellations must be submitted to Verso Ministries in written form and received via email or mail. Any refunds, as applicable, will be processed based on the date stamp of email or mail received. Cancellations are possible at any time, but refunds will be subject to the cancellation fees listed on the specific website of the pilgrimage departure and the terms of our suppliers. All suppliers have their own cancellation policies, which apply to your booking. Cancellation fees are for individual pilgrims, and fees will be charged per person per booking.

Typically, the cancellation fee schedule is as follows: Required deposit is fully refundable up to 14 days after payment (if deposit is made more than 180 days prior to departure). Cancellation 14 days after deposit and 91 days or more from departure: deposit retained; 90-61 days prior to departure: 25% of the trip cost is non-refundable; 60-31 days prior to departure: 50% of the trip cost is non-refundable; 30-0 days prior to departure: 100% of the trip cost is non-refundable (no refund given). The cancellation fee schedule for each particular departure may vary from the typical schedule. Please refer to the exact cancellation fee schedule for each pilgrimage which is listed on the information page for each pilgrimage listed on the www.versoministries.com website. 

Any cancellation charges incurred from other suppliers or vendors (flight, lodging, ground transportation, tickets, etc.) may come in addition to the administrative fees listed on the specific website of the pilgrimage departure. All group flight airline tickets, optional excursions, trip options, pre/post extensions, private transfers, and additional hotel nights are non-refundable 100 days or less prior to departure unless otherwise noted. Suppliers may choose to provide a travel voucher or credit in lieu of refund. We are not responsible for a supplier’s failure to pay a refund or for supplier bankruptcy or insolvency.

TRANSFERS AND CHANGE FEES: In most cases, any individual pilgrim may choose to transfer to a different departure for no fee, as long as they transfer 61 days or more prior to their original date of departure. Any payments made towards the registration fee of the original departure will convert into a travel voucher and will be subject to the terms and conditions regarding travel vouchers. Any payments made for airlines tickets, optional excursions, trip options, pre/post extensions, private transfers, and additional hotel nights are subject to the original cancellation fee schedule and policies unless otherwise noted. The free transfer policy is not available for pilgrims booked on Oberammergau, World Youth Day, or other departures that require special event tickets or non-refundable registration fees paid by Verso Ministries to third-party vendors in anticipation of a pilgrim’s participation.

If an individual pilgrim elects to transfer to a different departure 60 days or less prior to their original date of departure, the transfer will be treated as a cancellation and will be subject to the terms and conditions for cancellation.

DEPARTURE CANCELLATION DUE TO INSUFFICIENT PARTICIPATION: If Verso Ministries cancels a pilgrimage for insufficient participation, then Verso Ministries will provide a full refund of any monies paid to Verso Ministries within thirty (30) days of the cancellation notice. Verso Ministries bears no further responsibility beyond the refund. 

FORCE MAJEURE: Verso Ministries assumes no liability for, any loss, damage, delay, or cancellation resulting in whole or in part from an Act of God or any other force majeure condition, including, without limitation: fire, volcanic eruption, environmental pollution or contamination, inclement weather, earthquake, low or high water levels, flood, water or power shortages or failures, tropical storms or hurricanes, riots or civil commissions or disturbances, and any other acts of a similar nature, sabotage, arrests, strikes or labor disruptions, restraint of rulers or peoples, expropriations, acts of terrorism, war, insurrection, quarantine restrictions, government health advisories, border closures, epidemics, pandemics, or warnings or alerts of any kind of nature, government seizures, refusal or cancellation or suspension or delay of any government authority or any license, permit or authorization, damages to its facilities or the travel supplier and its facilities, or any other unforeseen circumstances or any other factors unforeseen by Verso Ministries that impacts negatively on, or hampers, its ability to fulfill any of its contractual conditions. In the event that any of these conditions apply, Verso Ministries shall be excused, discharged, and released from performance to the extent such performance is so limited or prevented, without liability of any kind including liability to make any refund.

TRAVEL RISKS: Verso Ministries makes the safety and security of our pilgrims the highest priority, and we monitor the ongoing current safety concerns in the destination country or locality. Verso Ministries reserves the right to cancel the pilgrimage at any time if it appears the group’s safety may be at risk. If the trip is cancelled due to security concerns, refunds will be given in full minus any non-refundable deposits paid to third-party vendors (airlines, hotels, other suppliers). You are advised and understand that traveling to any country includes inherent risks, and that Verso Ministries makes no guarantee regarding the safety and security of the group or any individuals at any time. You have been advised and understand there are inherent risks associated with traveling in general, and with traveling to the destination country in particular. Each individual pilgrim is required to read, review, and sign a “Waiver, Release, and Indemnification Agreement” and to have a copy of this signed agreement on file with Verso Ministries before traveling in order to participate on the pilgrimage. The “Waiver, Release, and Indemnification Agreement” can be found online at www.versoministries.com/release.

Travel to many parts of the world may involve the risk of a variety of hazards to health and/or safety, including but not limited to disease, crime, terrorism and warfare. Because each participant’s risk tolerance is different, Verso Ministries is not in a position to advise or recommend whether travel to any particular place at any particular time should take place. It is recommended that the participant should refer to objective third-party sources of travel information, such as that maintained by the U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov). In addition, you should consult with government websites to ensure that you are in compliance with all requirements for admittance into that country as well as understanding local laws that govern travel within a country, such as tracking. Should you choose to travel to a country that has been issued a travel warning or advisory, Verso Ministries will not be liable for damages or losses that result from travel to such destinations.

TRAVEL PROTECTION COVERAGE: We highly recommend the purchasing of travel protection coverage. Such plan at a minimum should cover Trip Cancellation or Interruption, Cancel for Any Reason, Medical Expense, Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation, and Baggage. Travel protection plans can help protect you in the event of loss of non-refundable trip deposits and payments that result from cancellation or trip interruption (due to a covered reason such as injury or illness before or during the trip). It also helps with reimbursement for medical emergency costs (including very costly medical evacuation costs), missed connections and baggage loss. Purchasing coverage may be limited by time constraints so it is imperative that you purchase protection as soon as possible after booking.

After receiving a completed registration form and deposit, you will be provided a quotation for recommended travel protection coverage. We recommend that each pilgrim reviews the terms and conditions carefully. Verso Ministries is not qualified to answer technical questions about the benefits, exclusions, and conditions of travel protection plans. Verso Ministries cannot evaluate the adequacy of the prospective insured’s existing insurance coverage. If you have any questions about your travel protection, call your insurer or insurance agent or broker.

Declining travel protection plan coverage could result in the loss of your travel cost and/or require more money to correct the situation. You acknowledge that without this coverage, there may be no way to recoup any losses, costs or expenses incurred. If you choose to travel without adequate coverage, we will not be liable for any of your losses howsoever arising, for which trip protection plan coverage would otherwise have been available.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: All participants on a Verso Ministries pilgrimage must have appropriate travel documents. On pilgrimages that leave the country, all participants are required to have a valid passport. Passports must be valid at least six months past the date of anticipated return. It is the individual’s responsibility to secure any necessary visas or other travel paperwork unless otherwise noted. Non-U.S. citizens should check with their appropriate governmental agencies to ensure their understanding of travel requirements. It is the responsibility of the individual to obtain all necessary travel documents (i.e. passports or visas) needed to participate.

It is your sole responsibility to secure and/or pay for any and all visas, reciprocity fees, affidavits, immunizations, etc. that are required to be permitted entry into each destination. In some countries you may be subject to entry (reciprocity) fees and/or departure taxes/ exit fees which will be collected at the airports upon entry/departure by local government authorities. Please note that entry to any country may be refused even if the required information and travel documents are complete.

It is your responsibility to ensure that all of the details on your travel documents are correct and to bring to our attention any errors or discrepancies immediately. Your travel documents are valuable and should be safeguarded as if they were cash. It is not always possible to replace travel documents in the case of loss, theft, damage, etc. We recommend that you keep a copy of your scanned passport (photograph page) on your email while traveling. 

Any failure of a participant to have proper visas and/or passport will likely result in the participant not being able to leave the country or enter a destination and no refund will be available in any such case and Verso Ministries will have no liability in such case.

HEALTH CONCERNS: Every effort will be made to accommodate the health needs of each participant. Please be advised that most foreign countries do not conform to the same standards as found in the Americans with Disabilities Act. Verso Ministries cannot provide individual assistance to pilgrims for walking, eating, or getting on and off modes of transportation. Participants who need this type of assistance are welcome to provide their own travel companion at their own expense. Please be advised that Verso Ministries does not guarantee accessibility of all pilgrimage activities, tours, or sites, especially if a participant’s mobility is severely restricted. Verso Ministries accepts no responsibility for a participant’s inability to fully participate in any or all portions of the pilgrimage, nor can Verso Ministries provide any refund for non-participation in any part of the pilgrimage.

HEALTH: For the safety or our guests, Verso Ministries reserves the right to request health information prior to travel and to exclude any participants it deems unfit for travel at its sole discretion.

AIR TRANSPORTATION: Some Verso Ministries pilgrimages include airfare, and each pilgrim must be aware that final pricing may be adjusted based on actual flight costs. Schedules and pricing are not available until 11 months prior to the date of return. Travelers are advised to be familiar with the airline’s terms and conditions when purchasing airfare. Typically, airfare is non-refundable 24-hours after ticketing. Any cancellations, alterations, or failure to use confirmed space will be subject to the penalties and fees given by the airline. Please note that airfares, airline carriers, and schedules are always subject to change without notice. While Verso Ministries attempts to accurately anticipate required airline taxes, fees, and fuel surcharges, any excess fees levied by the airlines beyond the original total price at time of booking will be the responsibility of the individual participant. Verso Ministries will pass these excess charges on to the individual even if the actual cost is higher than the expected cost advertised. Verso Ministries is not responsible for any transportation expenses that are incurred due to an individual concern (missed flight, change of itinerary, illness, etc.). Seating preferences can be requested directly from the airlines. Verso Ministries cannot guarantee any seating arrangements or requests.

BAGGAGE: Travelers to international destinations typically are allowed one free piece of luggage, but please be advised to check the requirements of each unique airline. Verso Ministries is not responsible for any luggage fees or any other expenses incurred by individuals traveling on a group flight. Participants are also required to porter their own luggage between all destinations. We strongly recommend that you pack only one piece of checked luggage and one carry-on. Verso Ministries is not responsible for loss, theft, or damage of any bags or items at any time.

MEALS AND PERSONAL EXPENSES: Meals are included according to the itinerary listed on the information page for each pilgrimage departure found on the www.versoministries.com website. Personal meals are not covered during travel days (in the airports or on airplanes), and drinks at meals are not included unless otherwise noted. Refunds for unused meals are not available. Special dietary needs can be requested, and every effort will be made to accommodate participants with special dietary concerns. However, Verso Ministries cannot guarantee the availability of dietary accommodations at all meals and restaurants. The pilgrimage fee does not cover any fees or expenses incurred by individuals or groups for passports, visas, personal meals, extras beyond provided meals or beverages, travel incidentals, personal expenses, baggage, or any other items not explicitly stated as included.

TRAVEL VOUCHERS: The following terms and conditions apply to the issuance and use of travel vouchers.

• Issuance – Travel vouchers are electronic vouchers that are issued as “credit memos” in Verso Ministries’ customer management database (provided by PEAK15 systems). Pilgrims who are issued a travel voucher will be informed via email of the issuance of the credit memo and the amount of the credit memo on their account. The owner of the travel voucher should not expect to receive any physical documentation of the voucher.
• Value – The amount of the travel voucher may be applied to the registration fee of any future Verso Ministries pilgrimage. It is valid for payment of published registration fees, as well as the following fees and expenses for services arranged on behalf of the traveler by Verso Ministries: single room supplement, optional add-ons, optional extension packages, private transfers, pre- and post-stays in lodging, hotel upgrades, and private tours. The travel voucher is not valid for payments towards the following fees and expenses: airfare costs, airline seats or upgrades, personal expenses, visa or passport fees, meals, drinks, travel insurance, tips or donations not included in package, and anything else not explicitly listed as a valid fee or expense. It has no cash value and cannot be redeemed for cash, check, gift certificate, or credit back to a charge card.
• Validity Period – The travel voucher is valid for a period of 2 years from the date of issue, and travel must conclude within 2 years from the date of issue, unless otherwise specified. The validity period will not be extended.
• Using the Voucher – Voucher can be redeemed during the registration process for a new pilgrimage departure. Please call the Verso Ministries office at (574) 383-9396 to have the value of the travel voucher applied to your balance. Once the travel voucher has been applied, it may not be reused, transferred, or refunded. If your travel voucher is insufficient to cover the full cost of your new pilgrimage(s), you will be responsible for paying the balance in accordance with the Verso Ministries Terms and Conditions.
• Residual Value – If redeemed for less than its original value, the remaining residual value of the voucher may be applied to subsequent fees. The expiration date of the original voucher will apply to any residual value.
• Transferability – Travel vouchers can be transferred to another pilgrim. To transfer the voucher, you must send a written request to hello@versoministries.com. In the request, please provide (1) name of the owner of the travel voucher, (2) name of the traveler for whom the travel voucher should be applied, and (3) pilgrimage destination and dates of travel. The owner of the voucher is the only person who can request the transfer. Verso Ministries assumes no responsibility for unauthorized use of the travel voucher.
• Sale/Barter Prohibited – Although transferable, this voucher may not be sold or bartered by the owner or any designee. Vouchers or tickets obtained through prohibited sale/barter transactions are void and will not be honored for travel.
• Cancellation When Using Voucher – If a booking made with a travel voucher is cancelled, any eligible refunds will be processed back to a travel voucher which will assume the expiration date of the originally issued voucher. The new travel voucher will not exceed the value of the original travel voucher. If a portion of the same cancelled booking was paid by using another method of payment (cash, check, or credit card), that portion of the eligible refund will be processed back to the original form of payment. Refund eligibility will be determined according to the cancellation fee schedule listed on the information page for each pilgrimage listed on the www.versoministries.com website.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Verso Ministries reserves the right to take photographs and video during any pilgrimage activities and to use captured media for promotional use. Any individual that prefers their image not be used for promotional purposes is kindly asked to notify Verso Ministry in writing before departure.

LIABILITY DISCLAIMER: Verso Ministries expressly disclaims any and all liability for any personal injury, health problems, property damage, loss of baggage, incidents of theft or other loss of property, delay, or any action, omission, or error, whether negligent, wrongful, or intentional, by any air carrier, hotel or lodging operator, rail service, bus operator, public transportation service, sea carrier, local sightseeing or tour company, restaurant, event venue, tour operator, tour director, spiritual director, any employees thereof, or for any other entity or individual engaged in providing goods or services in connection with the pilgrimage. Verso Ministries acts as a group travel coordinator and uses third-party vendors to provide goods and services for the pilgrimage. These suppliers provide goods and services which include, but are not limited to: transportation, accommodations, sightseeing arrangements, guided tours, tour guide services, and meals. These suppliers are independent contractors and are not direct employees or agents of Verso Ministries. Verso Ministries also disclaims any liability for any damages, losses incurred, expenses incurred, or inconvenience caused, due to delay or changes in schedules, booking arrangements, transportation services, sickness, weather, strikes, acts of terrorism, construction, war, natural disasters, epidemics, pandemics, or other such events which are outside of Verso Ministries’ control. Furthermore, Verso Ministries disclaims any liability for any damages or injuries, or other losses whatsoever, sustained or incurred as a result of any negligence of Verso Ministries. In no event shall Verso Ministries’ liability exceed the amounts paid by you for participation in the pilgrimage, and subject to the provisions and cancellations fees as set forth in the Terms and Conditions listed here. Pilgrimage details may be changed at any time without notice and at Verso Ministries’ sole discretion.

DISPUTE RESOLUTION: Group and Participants agree that the Indiana state courts located in St. Joseph County, Indiana U.S.A (or, if there is exclusive federal jurisdiction, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana) shall have exclusive jurisdiction and venue over any dispute arising out of this agreement and/or the Pilgrimage. To the extent not otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of such courts, Group agrees and each Pilgrim hereby agrees to waive any objection to jurisdiction and to subject itself/himself/herself to the jurisdiction of such courts. This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Indiana. You agree that you will only bring claims against Verso Ministries in your individual capacity and not as a plaintiff or class member in any purported class action or representative proceeding. Verso Ministries shall not in any case be liable for other than compensatory damages, and your payment of a deposit on a tour means that you agree to these conditions of sale and expressly waive any right to punitive damages. You understand and agree that no claims will be considered and that you will not bring suit against Verso Ministries unless you have first provided a typewritten notice of claim to Verso Ministries within 30 days after the completion of the tour or cancellation of the tour.

Last updated: March 31, 2022