Anthony Voiles and his husband, Tyler, moved to Rumford from Tennessee about three years ago. In the beginning, the couple were happy and excited about their new adventure living in Maine and remodeling their early 1900s home. But later, reality set in as their savings dwindled, they suffered personal losses and they experienced feelings of isolation. It made them question their decision to move to Maine.

Last August, however, Voiles began a spiritual journey that has altered their lives, he said. The couple started reading scripture from the Bible regularly and “embraced its teachings” about truth, grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness, he said.

Stemming from this transformation, Voiles felt called to share his newfound well-being with others, and that’s when the idea for starting his business Our Daily Bread Baking Co. in the couple’s home got started and opened in May.

What led you to open Our Daily Bread Baking Co. in May? After living in Maine for over two years, life looked much different than we had anticipated. My husband and I faced significant challenges — financially, mentally, and emotionally. Our relationships with family and friends were strained, and we experienced profound loss, including the passing of loved ones from cancer and other illnesses. On top of that, we felt isolated in a new environment with no real sense of community. 

Last August, I began a spiritual journey that transformed my mindset and our lives. We started reading scripture regularly and embraced its teachings. The Lord’s Prayer, especially Matthew 6:11 — “Give us this day our daily bread” — took on a deeper meaning for me. Bread symbolized not only physical sustenance but also spiritual nourishment: truth, grace, mercy, love, forgiveness — all the things that sustain us daily.

Having received so much of this sustenance in my own life, I felt called to share it with others. That’s when the idea for Our Daily Bread Baking Co. was born. My mission is not just to provide high-quality baked goods, but also to spread love, joy, and hope throughout our community. 

How was the adjustment for you and Tyler moving from Tennessee to Rumford? What has made the biggest difference to your well-being? The move from Nashville to Rumford three years ago was a challenging adjustment for both Tyler and me. At first, it felt like an exciting new adventure. We bought a beautiful early-1900s home to remodel and spent the first six months exploring Maine. It was as if we were wearing rose-colored glasses. 

But reality soon set in. Our savings began to dwindle, and Tyler struggled to find work. We didn’t know anyone, and the loneliness became overwhelming. The isolation, combined with financial and emotional struggles, made us question our decision to move. 

The turning point came when I started praying for community at the end of last year. I didn’t know how or where it would come, but I knew it was essential. Becoming involved in the community through Our Daily Bread has made the biggest difference to our well-being. It’s given us purpose and a sense of belonging we didn’t have before. 

How has your spirituality and faith in God helped you overcome personal struggles this past year? My faith in God has been the foundation for overcoming every struggle we’ve faced. I’ve learned to trust in his plan and step out of my own way, allowing him to work. Even when we were in the midst of the most challenging season of our lives — when the rain came and the winds blew — our faith remained unshaken because it was built on a new foundation. 

Instead of worrying as I had in the past, I began to rejoice during times of turmoil and rejection, trusting God to work everything together for good, as Romans 8:28 says. Once I shifted my perspective, I started to see how God could turn every obstacle into an opportunity. Time and again, things would suddenly change for the better. That unwavering trust in his plan has been life-changing. 

How have you become involved in the community, and what do you believe your role is? We began connecting with the community by participating in local markets in Rumford and Mexico, where we met more people than we ever did in Nashville. These connections included organizers of soup kitchens and nonprofits, which led us to start donating unsold bread. Over time, these relationships grew, and we became more actively involved —volunteering and contributing food to local initiatives. 

I’m also passionate about promoting other small businesses. In a small community like ours, it’s easy to feel like resources are lacking. But when we come together and rely on each other, we realize how much we truly have. That’s why I strive to share as many local resources as possible. 

I see my role in the community as simple yet impactful: to bring joy, kindness, love, and grace to others. Everyone deserves these things, and I believe we all have the power to uplift one another in meaningful ways.