El Paso pastor’s childhood interest inspires gem and mineral show

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- A three-day gem and mineral show kicked off Friday at the Tobin Park neighborhood. A local pastor organized the show to combine his love of rocks with his faith.

Pastor Jackson Mills from Tobin Park United Methodist Church' enthusiasm for rocks and minerals started when he was 3 years old. His mother enrolled in a "Rock of the Month" club, and Pastor Mills started a collection of small specimen.

Now, the Tobin Park Gem and Mineral Show invites rock and mineral enthusiasts to explore others' collections and local vendors.

"El Paso is in this odd heartland of a good opportunity to be into the rock collecting community. There are so many beautiful minerals from Mexico," Mills said. "The whole Southwest is a geological oddity."

The show will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Admission and parking are free, according to Pastor Mills. Attendees can find the show at Tobin Park United Methodist Church in Northeast El Paso (9410 Roanoke Dr.).

Those attending the show can expect a variety of gem and rock displays.