Roy Farmer Jr. gives attendees the thumbs up during a jobs fair at NorthWest Bible Church on Tuesday, October 4, 2016. Farmer started the Between Jobs Ministry at the church more than 25 years ago, and for the last 15 years opened up their facility to everyone in the community regardless of faith or connection with the church. "Some years we'd have almost no one, right now we have around 300 people attending each week," he said. #

Job fair attendees stand outside the doors of NorthWest Bible Church before the event begins on Tuesday, October 4, 2016. More than 1,000 people showed up to the fair to meet with 50 prospective employers. As the rest of the country sees its unemployment rate decrease, Houston-area residents are being hit hard with low oil and gas prices. #

Natalie Blackmon prays during the general session of the Between Jobs Ministry on Wednesday, October 5, 2016. Blackmon, who used to work as an assistant in a geophysics lab, has been laid off since May. "I believe there's a job out there for me," she said. While she's been unemployed, she's had to take care of her sick mother as well. #

Wearing a suit and tie, an attendee makes his way to the general assembly of the Between Jobs Ministry at NorthWest Bible Church on Wednesday, November 2, 2016. First-time attendees are told that looking for a job is now their job. #

Lara Winkler leads a small job-search team at a conference room at Houston Northwest Church in Houston. The team was created to help keep people on track with their job search. #

Between Jobs Ministry volunteer Amanda Pollack talks to "first timers" about the schedule of the day. Pollack often starts her talk with: "I'm sure we won't see you again, but if we do ..." #

An attendee checks job listings during the weekly general assembly. Many who attend the Between Jobs Ministry were laid off as a result in the downturn of the oil and gas industries. These industries have lost three times the amount of jobs as they did during the 2008-2009 recession. #

Counselor John Dyck, left, talks with Thomas Elder during a one-on-one counseling session at the jobs ministry on Wednesday, November 2, 2016. Elder, an aeronautical engineer, is prepping for an out-of-state interview. #

Mark Venderbreuggen hugs Roy Farmer Jr. after speaking to the assembly about getting a new job after being unemployed for months. Many come back to the ministry to share what job-seeking skills worked for them and inspire those who are still seeking. One of the things the ministry emphasizes is that it's on "God's time" not theirs. #

An executive job seeker looks over a handout at the Between Jobs Ministry at NorthWest Bible Church. An hour before the rest of attendees show up, more than 100 job seekers who have top-tier experience meet for job-search skills. #

Gary Farwig, center, listens to an interview class, one of the sessions offered on Wednesday, October 19, 2016. Farwig, a mechanical engineer in the oil industry, has been out of work for almost four months. #

Financial coach Gay Morris looks over a sign-in sheet for one-on-one counseling. Many people attend the sessions to get feedback on their résumé and job search, but some just need someone to talk to. #

During a job fair at NorthWest Bible Church, a small room is set aside for those who need an extra boost of confidence as they see almost 1,000 other applicants like them vying for the same jobs. #

"You'll be okay, because God has a plan for you," Roy Farmer Jr. tells Lisa Gillihan during a meeting for Between Jobs Ministry first-timers on Wednesday, October 5, 2016, at Northwest Bible Church. #

An attendee checks out the jobs board during the ministry. Many have had to find jobs with longer commutes or less pay, feeling they have no choice after being out of work for so long. The ministry tries to keep their spirits and search focused to find the best fit. #

Ben Kloepper, an IT business analyst who has been out of work since March, makes phone calls during a break on Wednesday, November 16, 2016. The ministry pushes making connections and reaching out. #

A loaf of donated bread is kept under the chair of a job seeker at the Between Jobs Ministry on Wednesday, October 12, 2016. Four local bread companies provide the bread, which is a perk for those who have seen their savings depleted as they look for work. #

Roy Farmer helps Wayne Ruschel print his business cards in the office of the ministry on Wednesday, November 16, 2016. Ruschel had worked as an engineer for most of his career, his last job was a contract position that recently ended. The business office provides computers and printing machines and allows each participant to print 40 business cards for free. #

Lisa Gillihan, center, meets with two other job seekers, Elizabeth Agustin, left, and Michelle Arnold Uzoh, right, during a small job group at the local Corner Bakery. The three have different job skills and are seeking jobs in different industries, but the weekly meeting helps keep them accountable for their job search as well as keep their spirits up. #

A note left for the local Panera that donates day-old bread at the ministry reads, "Thanks from a hungry person." For many of the job seekers, most of whom made upper-middle-class incomes, accepting charity is something new. #