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        Vance Redden joined the Sunset United Methodist Church in Pasadena, Texas the first week of January, 1997, immediately after being released from a Texas prison. He had served 16 months of a three-year sentence for felony DWI. The whole story is reported in his book, “The Book of Bird, Facing God’s Judgment.” A year later, Redden was invited to teach a large, adult Sunday School class and did so until he started experiencing throat pain that was later diagnosed as cancer.  In August of 2000, his larynx was removed after unsuccessful radiation treatment, and he now speaks with an electrolarnyx: a mechanical device that he says makes him sound like an answering machine or what Chris Baker (a Houston, Texas talk show host) calls a cancer kazoo. 

          On March 5, 1999 Redden received his Lay Speaker's Certificate in the United Methodist Church after successfully completing the necessary training program. He continues with speaking engagements as a Coordinator for the Pen Pal Program offered by an organization started by Chuck Colson called “Prison Fellowship Ministries,” of which he is an Ambassador, helping churches set up their own prison ministry programs.

          Redden has previously published a monthly magazine and a weekly newspaper.  He also is a writer/contributor to the Cancer Society's newsletter, “Headlines” and samples of articles can be found at the "Misc. Writings" link on his website, located at www.vanceredden.com.

          Redden has lived in the Houston, Texas area for over 25 years. He brags that he has three beautiful daughters and a handsome son, all living close by.  “And I have the most beautiful grandchildren in the world!” he concludes.

          Redden was born in St. Louis, Missouri in December of 1938, and is now 68 years young.  When asked to describe himself, he answered, “I consider myself first of all a Christian (God is not finished with me yet), a father, a grandfather, a writer; and the personification of an archaic cavalier.  That means he still holds open doors, gives his seat up for, smiles at, and generally venerates women of all ages.”

          After the death of his wife Stella, in December of 2003, he moved to Galveston, Texas. He spends most of his time watching seagulls dive for their daily bread and writing:  his second book, “The UnGoldy War on America” is due to be published in September 2007.  In it, he continues with his dialectic conversations with God and an argument in favor of having a Christian world-view in facing the problems in our society.