Discerning the Future of Ellis County: Alberto Mares Shares Growth Trends at The Big E

MAYPEARL, TX — October 12, 2025 — At the Ellis Baptist Association’s 119th Annual Celebration, marking the Association’s 120th meeting, Alberto Mares, Director of Planning & Development for Ellis County, presented an eye-opening talk titled “Discerning the Future of Ellis County.” His presentation helped pastors and church leaders see the connection between population growth, community needs, and the future of ministry in Ellis County.

A County on the Move

Mares outlined the dramatic growth Ellis County is experiencing:

• Since 1990, the county’s population has grown 126%.
• An average of 27 new residents move into Ellis County every day, contributing to the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex’s status as the 4th largest U.S. metro area.
• Ellis County is now the 8th fastest-growing county in the nation.

Looking ahead, projections show the county will cross the 250,000 population mark this month and could reach 750,000 residents by 2050.

Shifting Demographics

The face of Ellis County is changing:

• The Hispanic population has doubled in 30 years and is projected to be one-third of the county by 2030.
• The senior population (65+) is steadily growing, while the under-18 group is shrinking.
• Ellis County has 303 places of worship, but at 0.32 per square mile, its church density is lower than many neighboring counties.

Implications for Ministry

Mares urged churches to view this data through the lens of Acts 1:8 — extending ministry locally, regionally, and globally. He emphasized that churches must understand the times and align their strategies with where and how people are moving into the community.

He also challenged leaders to consider how new housing, shifting ethnic populations, and changing age distributions create opportunities to plant churches, strengthen ministries, and serve in new ways.

Growing Young

Mares closed by addressing the next generation, citing a Fuller Institute study showing that nearly half of youth drift away from church after high school. He shared six key practices for reversing that trend:

1. Prioritize young people.
2. Empower young people with leadership roles.
3. Model authenticity in following Christ.
4. Foster relational warmth across generations.
5. Provide intentional spiritual formation.
6. Equip young people to live out their faith in daily life.

Looking Forward

For the Ellis Baptist Association, the message was clear: demographics must drive strategy. By studying the data, churches can better anticipate needs, invest in young leaders, and plant ministries where people are arriving in record numbers.

As Executive Director Richard Cody noted, “Like the sons of Issachar, we are called to understand the times and know what we should do. Alberto Mares helped us see clearly that Ellis County’s growth is not just a statistic — it’s an opportunity for kingdom advancement.”

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