Canyon View Vineyard Church: Statement on Foreign Government Advertising Campaign
Last Updated: December 22, 2025
What's Happening
Canyon View Vineyard Church has been included on a list of over 500 churches across California, Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado that are being targeted by a digital advertising campaign funded by Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
We want to be absolutely clear: We did not know about this, we did not consent to this, and we are not participating in this.
We learned about our inclusion on this list when a concerned community member sent us a message. Like many of you, we were surprised and troubled to discover our church had been selected without our knowledge or permission.
The Post That's Circulating
So you know exactly what we're addressing, here's the Facebook post that's been shared in local groups:
"Just posting this so everyone knows if you go to, live by, or in any way are around canyon view vineyards church, they're using geofencing(a location-based technology that uses GPS, Wi-Fi, or cellular data to create a virtual boundary around a specific geographic area, triggering automated actions when a mobile device enters or exits that zone, such as sending personalized ads, notifications, or tracking assets for improved security or marketing) to target church goers and community members with pro-1srael/anti Muslim propaganda ads and track you. The company behind it is show faith by works LLC and they have poured over 4M$ into it. If you go on the spreadsheet of churches you will see that canyon view vineyards is apart of this. There are more sources you can look into but this goes through all the specific churches taking money."
The post links to this article: https://marcowenjones.substack.com/p/has-your-church-been-targeted-by
That article includes a spreadsheet listing churches that were selected as target locations. Canyon View is row 42 on that list.
The article's information comes from a public government filing called a FARA filing (Foreign Agents Registration Act) - these are documents that organizations must file when they're working on behalf of foreign governments in the United States.
Now let's separate fact from fiction.
The Facts
1. Who's Behind This?
A California-based marketing company called Show Faith by Works LLC is conducting this campaign on behalf of Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to public government filings (called FARA filings - Foreign Agents Registration Act), they have a budget of $3.2-4.1 million to target churches in the western United States.
2. What Were They Planning to Do?
They planned to use something called "geofencing" to show digital ads to people's phones when they're at or near targeted churches during worship times. The ads would promote pro-Israel messaging.
3. What is Geofencing?
Geofencing is a common advertising technique where companies create a virtual boundary around a physical location. When your phone enters that area (if you have location services turned on), you can receive targeted ads.
Retailers use this all the time - if you walk near a Starbucks, you might get a Starbucks ad. If you're near Target, you might see a Target promotion.
In this case, a marketing company planned to create these virtual boundaries around church buildings to advertise to people attending services.
4. Did Canyon View Know About This?
No. We found out the same way you did - when it became public information. We were never contacted, never asked for permission, and never consulted.
5. Is Canyon View Getting Paid?
Absolutely not. We have received zero dollars, zero compensation, and zero benefit from this campaign.
6. What the Social Media Posts Are Claiming (And Why They're Wrong)
The post circulating makes several claims about Canyon View. Here's why those claims are inaccurate:
CLAIM: "Canyon View is using geofencing to track congregation members"
THE TRUTH: We are not using geofencing - period. Our church building was selected as a target location by a third party. We're not the ones doing the advertising; we're the location being advertised near. Think of it this way: If a competitor sets up shop across from Walmart and advertises to Walmart customers, Walmart isn't "using" that advertising strategy - they're just the reference point. That's our situation.
CLAIM: "Canyon View is taking money from foreign governments"
THE TRUTH: We have received exactly $0 from Show Faith by Works LLC, Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or anyone connected to this campaign. The post says churches are "taking money" - we are not.
CLAIM: "Canyon View is distributing anti-Muslim propaganda"
THE TRUTH: We are not distributing any political messaging whatsoever. The government filing describes the planned advertising content as "pro-Israel" and "anti-Palestinian State" (not "anti-Muslim"), but regardless of the specific messaging, we are not involved in distributing it.
Our Position
Canyon View Vineyard Church maintains a clear mission: to help people know Jesus, grow in faith, and serve our community.
We do not engage in political campaigns. We do not endorse political positions on international conflicts. We focus on the Gospel and serving the people of the Western Slope.
That's been our mission, and that remains our mission.
What We're Doing About This
Questions You Might Have
1. Can you remove Canyon View from their list?
We can't control where third-party companies choose to advertise. However, we are making it very clear that we did not consent and do not support this campaign.
2. Has Show Faith by Works contacted the church?
No. We have received no contact from this organization.
3. Are ads actually running right now?
We don't know the current status of the campaign. According to news reports, the company stated they were revising their approach. But even if ads were running, we want to be clear: we are not involved.
4. What about my privacy?
Geofencing advertising typically doesn't collect personally identifying information - it targets anonymous devices in geographic areas. That said, if you're concerned about location-based advertising in general, you can:
5. Does this change anything about Sunday services?
Nothing at all. We're still the same church, with the same heart, serving the same Jesus. Come as you are, and expect to encounter the love of God.
The Bottom Line
We get that this situation is unusual and maybe a little unsettling. It was for us too.
But here's what hasn't changed:
We're still a church that believes Jesus changes lives. We're still committed to authentic worship and genuine community. We're still here to serve the people of Grand Junction and the Western Slope. We're still focused on what matters: faith, hope, and love.
We're grateful for this community, and we're committed to continuing the work God has called us to do.
Still Have Questions?
Reach out to Jessica Wontor, our Director of Communications:
jessicaw@canyonviewchurch.com
(970) 242-7970
Or stop by the church office - we'd love to talk with you in person.
Related Resources
What's Happening
Canyon View Vineyard Church has been included on a list of over 500 churches across California, Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado that are being targeted by a digital advertising campaign funded by Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
We want to be absolutely clear: We did not know about this, we did not consent to this, and we are not participating in this.
We learned about our inclusion on this list when a concerned community member sent us a message. Like many of you, we were surprised and troubled to discover our church had been selected without our knowledge or permission.
The Post That's Circulating
So you know exactly what we're addressing, here's the Facebook post that's been shared in local groups:
"Just posting this so everyone knows if you go to, live by, or in any way are around canyon view vineyards church, they're using geofencing(a location-based technology that uses GPS, Wi-Fi, or cellular data to create a virtual boundary around a specific geographic area, triggering automated actions when a mobile device enters or exits that zone, such as sending personalized ads, notifications, or tracking assets for improved security or marketing) to target church goers and community members with pro-1srael/anti Muslim propaganda ads and track you. The company behind it is show faith by works LLC and they have poured over 4M$ into it. If you go on the spreadsheet of churches you will see that canyon view vineyards is apart of this. There are more sources you can look into but this goes through all the specific churches taking money."
The post links to this article: https://marcowenjones.substack.com/p/has-your-church-been-targeted-by
That article includes a spreadsheet listing churches that were selected as target locations. Canyon View is row 42 on that list.
The article's information comes from a public government filing called a FARA filing (Foreign Agents Registration Act) - these are documents that organizations must file when they're working on behalf of foreign governments in the United States.
Now let's separate fact from fiction.
The Facts
1. Who's Behind This?
A California-based marketing company called Show Faith by Works LLC is conducting this campaign on behalf of Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to public government filings (called FARA filings - Foreign Agents Registration Act), they have a budget of $3.2-4.1 million to target churches in the western United States.
2. What Were They Planning to Do?
They planned to use something called "geofencing" to show digital ads to people's phones when they're at or near targeted churches during worship times. The ads would promote pro-Israel messaging.
3. What is Geofencing?
Geofencing is a common advertising technique where companies create a virtual boundary around a physical location. When your phone enters that area (if you have location services turned on), you can receive targeted ads.
Retailers use this all the time - if you walk near a Starbucks, you might get a Starbucks ad. If you're near Target, you might see a Target promotion.
In this case, a marketing company planned to create these virtual boundaries around church buildings to advertise to people attending services.
4. Did Canyon View Know About This?
No. We found out the same way you did - when it became public information. We were never contacted, never asked for permission, and never consulted.
5. Is Canyon View Getting Paid?
Absolutely not. We have received zero dollars, zero compensation, and zero benefit from this campaign.
6. What the Social Media Posts Are Claiming (And Why They're Wrong)
The post circulating makes several claims about Canyon View. Here's why those claims are inaccurate:
CLAIM: "Canyon View is using geofencing to track congregation members"
THE TRUTH: We are not using geofencing - period. Our church building was selected as a target location by a third party. We're not the ones doing the advertising; we're the location being advertised near. Think of it this way: If a competitor sets up shop across from Walmart and advertises to Walmart customers, Walmart isn't "using" that advertising strategy - they're just the reference point. That's our situation.
CLAIM: "Canyon View is taking money from foreign governments"
THE TRUTH: We have received exactly $0 from Show Faith by Works LLC, Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or anyone connected to this campaign. The post says churches are "taking money" - we are not.
CLAIM: "Canyon View is distributing anti-Muslim propaganda"
THE TRUTH: We are not distributing any political messaging whatsoever. The government filing describes the planned advertising content as "pro-Israel" and "anti-Palestinian State" (not "anti-Muslim"), but regardless of the specific messaging, we are not involved in distributing it.
Our Position
Canyon View Vineyard Church maintains a clear mission: to help people know Jesus, grow in faith, and serve our community.
We do not engage in political campaigns. We do not endorse political positions on international conflicts. We focus on the Gospel and serving the people of the Western Slope.
That's been our mission, and that remains our mission.
What We're Doing About This
- Clarifying the facts - We're publishing this statement so our congregation and community have accurate information directly from us.
- Making our position clear - We did not consent to being included on this list, and we do not endorse political advertising campaigns at our church.
- Staying focused on our mission - This situation doesn't change who we are or what we're called to do.
Questions You Might Have
1. Can you remove Canyon View from their list?
We can't control where third-party companies choose to advertise. However, we are making it very clear that we did not consent and do not support this campaign.
2. Has Show Faith by Works contacted the church?
No. We have received no contact from this organization.
3. Are ads actually running right now?
We don't know the current status of the campaign. According to news reports, the company stated they were revising their approach. But even if ads were running, we want to be clear: we are not involved.
4. What about my privacy?
Geofencing advertising typically doesn't collect personally identifying information - it targets anonymous devices in geographic areas. That said, if you're concerned about location-based advertising in general, you can:
- Turn off location services on your phone
- Set apps to only use location while you're actively using them
- Review your app permissions regularly
5. Does this change anything about Sunday services?
Nothing at all. We're still the same church, with the same heart, serving the same Jesus. Come as you are, and expect to encounter the love of God.
The Bottom Line
We get that this situation is unusual and maybe a little unsettling. It was for us too.
But here's what hasn't changed:
We're still a church that believes Jesus changes lives. We're still committed to authentic worship and genuine community. We're still here to serve the people of Grand Junction and the Western Slope. We're still focused on what matters: faith, hope, and love.
We're grateful for this community, and we're committed to continuing the work God has called us to do.
Still Have Questions?
Reach out to Jessica Wontor, our Director of Communications:
jessicaw@canyonviewchurch.com
(970) 242-7970
Or stop by the church office - we'd love to talk with you in person.
Related Resources
- Article Referenced in Facebook Post
- Church List Spreadsheet (Canyon View is row 42)
- Show Faith by Works LLC FARA Filing (Government Document)
- Original Reporting - Jewish Telegraphic Agency