Brian Walder recalls riding his bike to a store in Ashwaubenon where he and a brother would buy jerky to chew on while playing baseball.
As he grew into adulthood, so did his taste for jerky. A coworker introduced him to the art of homemade jerky‑making, which set him on a path to creating a recipe that he refined through seeking out and tasting commercial brands.
“I got to the point where I was like, ‘I don’t think anything is better than what I’m making,’” Walder says.
By that time, he had spent years serving his homemade jerky at Packers tailgate parties and family get‑togethers.
“I became the jerky guy to my friends and family,” says Walder, who was encouraged by fans to sell his product commercially.
For him, it was still a hobby and maybe would have stayed that way until he read a Lenten reflection book that suggested he “spend some quiet time with Lord.” This was during the COVID‑19 pandemic shutdown, so he had more time for reflection. During one of those moments, the phrase “Jerky for Jesus” popped in his head.
He envisioned a business that would donate a portion of its profits to faith‑based causes and start a conversation about faith.
Walder says he was unsure what to do with that idea because he didn’t know how to start a business and figured it would be too expensive. But the idea wouldn’t leave him alone.
“I felt like God put a calling on my heart,” he says.
A conversation with his brother Jason Walder while on a visit to Georgia last year led him to explore co‑packing as an option. When he returned to Wisconsin, he quickly found a connection with Pelkin’s Smokey Meat Market in Suamico, where today he continues to produce the jerky from locally sourced ingredients.
Walder says having access to a commercial facility has helped him improve his already great product. Belmark Packaging and Amberly Creative have helped Walder deliver his vision for the business.
Sales are primarily through his website, and while he anticipated a market for fundraising and direct‑to‑consumer sales, he has been surprised by the level of interest in corporate gift packages.
Marketing has been largely through word of mouth, but having a sales and marketing background as well as a network of support, both inside and outside of his faith community, has helped Walder reach markets as far away as Texas and Florida.
The Jerky 4 Jesus packaging features a cross and a Bible verse, which Walder says “isn’t about forcing faith on anyone; it’s about not hiding mine.”
While he is serious about his message and his faith, Walder says he likes to have some fun with it too. The website features an AI‑generated song with the lyrics “Grab a bag and pass the praise; it’s a meat revival for the modern age.”
