Getting the word out about your next church event can be a challenge. Flyers, Sunday announcements, and word-of-mouth are all important—but they only go so far.

That’s why Facebook ads can be such a powerful tool for churches.

TL;DR: In this post, we’ll walk through five key strategies that will help you create church Facebook ads that actually bring people to your events.

1. Be Specific With Your Targeting

One of the biggest advantages of Facebook ads for churches is how specific you can get with who sees them. Instead of blasting your message to everyone, you can narrow your audience so your budget is spent reaching the people most likely to attend.

Facebook ad targeting lets you narrow your audience based on location, demographics, interests, and even past interactions with your church.

There are three main types of audiences you can use:

1. Core Audiences: These are the default audiences in Facebook Ads Manager. You can target people based on location (like a 10-mile radius around your church), demographics (age, gender, life stage), interests (community events, music, parenting), behaviors, and even connections (people who already like your page).

2. Custom Audiences: These are built from your own data or Facebook’s interaction data. You can target people who have visited your website, engaged with your Facebook content, signed up for past events, or are already part of your email list. This helps you reconnect with people who have shown interest in your church before.

3. Lookalike Audiences: These are created by finding new people who share similar characteristics to your existing audience. Facebook will find other users in your area with similar traits and faith-based interests—helping you reach brand new potential visitors.

For example, you could create a Core Audience to target adults in a certain age range, a Custom Audience of people who attended previously, and a Lookalike Audience of those who share similar faith-based interests with your current members, helping you reach new families in your area.

2. Use the Right Images (Sometimes Video)

In church Facebook ads, the visual is what stops the scroll. Use bright, clear, high-resolution photos that show real people from your church rather than stock images. Choose images that connect with viewers and reflect the heart of your event.

Experiment With Video

Video can be even more effective. Keep it short (15–30 seconds) and add captions for silent viewers. Facebook’s algorithm often favors video, so a quick clip—like your choir rehearsing for a Christmas Eve service—can attract more attention than a still photo alone.

3. Include a Clear Call to Action

A beautiful photo or engaging video is only half the battle. You also need to tell viewers exactly what you want them to do next. That’s where a call to action (CTA) comes in.

A CTA should be:

• Clear: People should know exactly what happens if they click.
• Action-oriented: Use strong verbs like “Join,” “Register,” “Reserve,” or “Plan.”
• Relevant: Match the CTA to your goal—if your goal is RSVPs, say “RSVP Now” instead of “Learn More.”

When the action is clear, you remove friction and make it more likely people will take the next step.

4. Send Your Ad to the Right Page

Where your ad sends people is just as important as the ad itself. If someone clicks on your ad but lands on your church homepage with no mention of the event, they may lose interest quickly.

This could be a dedicated event page on your website or a Facebook event. Make sure it’s mobile-friendly, lists the “who, what, when, and where” right at the top, and uses the same visuals and tone as your ad.

5. Monitor Ad Performance

Launching an ad is just the beginning—monitoring its performance is where you really learn how to improve. Facebook Ads Manager gives you valuable data about how your campaign is performing.

Key metrics to watch:

• Reach: How many people saw your ad.
• Clicks: How many people clicked on it.
• Click-through rate (CTR): The percentage of people who saw the ad and clicked.
• Cost per click (CPC): How much you’re paying for each click.
• Event responses: For ads tied to Facebook events.

Pro Tip: If your CTR is low, try swapping the image or headline. If your reach is too small, slightly widen your targeting.

Making the Most of Church Facebook Ads

Running church Facebook ads doesn’t have to be complicated. By focusing on five key elements—specific targeting, strong visuals, a clear call to action, sending people to the right page, and monitoring performance—you can create ads that actually lead to real connections and more event attendance.

With consistency and a little creativity, ads for churches can become one of the most powerful tools for reaching your community and inviting them into what God is doing at your next event.

FAQs About Facebook Ads for Churches

Here are some frequently asked questions about church Facebook ads...

How much should my church spend on Facebook ads?

You can start small! Many churches see results spending just $25–$50 for a single event. The key is to run the ad for at least 7–10 days and monitor performance to get the most from your budget.

Should I boost a post or create a Facebook ad campaign?

Boosting a post can be a quick option for small events, but creating a full ad campaign in Facebook Ads Manager gives you more control over targeting, budget, and ad objectives—usually leading to better results.

Do Facebook ads really work for churches?

Yes! When targeted well and paired with strong visuals and a clear call-to-action, church Facebook ads can be one of the most cost-effective ways to reach your community and invite them to events.

What’s the best type of content to use in a Facebook ad?

Short videos often perform best because Facebook prioritizes them in the feed, but high-quality photos also work well. The key is to be authentic—show real people from your church enjoying real moments.