GASTON COUNTY, N.C.,None — When playing the Biblical board game "Nehemiah: Rebuilding the Walls of Jerusalem," a player may make a few moves on the board only to find one of the stonemasons up on the wall has been hit on the head with a rock and is unable to continue his wall-building. Go back two spaces. It's tough to build a wall.
Doug Baltzegar of Mount Holly has taken Bible verses and the stories they contain to create his new business, Me2Games, LLC – a collection of fun-and-family board and card games.
"Out of Egypt: Way Through the Wilderness" and "The Life of Joseph" are two more of his Bible-based board games.
"In each game you use one die," Baltzegar said. "You draw cards and follow the card directions on a map that's an ancient picture of Jerusalem. There are positive moves as well as forfeit moves. All my games are designed for everyone in the family to enjoy.
He's also created card games for ages six and up, for two to six players. These, too, are original designs.
"The board and card games have been tested. We've had them at Gaston Christian School and we've had them tested by home-schoolers. They are registered for copyrighting, and right now we have them in four states."
While created with a Christian flavor, the games and cards are also suitable for other faiths. For instance, in one of the board games there is a card which reads, "Celebrate Passover: Go Ahead 4 Spaces."
Baltzegar had been working for a Christian publishing company when he decided to go out on his own. Wife Laura helps with proofreading, some of the operative concepts and moral support.
The board games range in price from $16.99 to $18.99. The card games are priced at $5.99 each.
"These are fun for all the family as well as educational," Baltzegar said. "They're designed so parents can play them with their children. It's a way to bring parents and children together in a Christian-flavored playtime."
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