Deland is a faithful member and Elder at Grace Fellowship House of Solutions, C.O.G.I.C. in Ypsilanti and the Chairman of the Willie E. Sheard Memorial District (WESMD) Prayer Ministry Team.

He holds a Masters of Social Work (MSW) and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA).  He is retired from Brighton Hospital where he served as a Addiction and Substance Abuse counselor for many years. 

He is the supportive husband of the founder, Betty McMullan, the father of 5 children, 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.