Rolland was born in San Diego, California and is a graduate of the University of Redlands, where he majored in Business Administration. He has done graduate studies in church history and theology at Bethel Baptist Theological Seminary West and at the southern California campus of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary.

Rolland Slade served as the National Missionary for Welfare Back to Work Evangelism Ministries for the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. He is assigned through Church and Community Ministries Unit of the Ministry Evangelism Team.

His tasks included providing consultations to Southern Baptist state conventions, fellowships, associations and churches regarding Welfare Reform, Charitable Choice, Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, Community Development and Grant Writing.

Additionally, Rolland is was responsible for the development of the North American Mission Board's ministry evangelism strategy titled Man-to-Man, Christian Men's Job Readiness Ministry. The strategy seeks to provide men living in poverty the skills and attitudes that will enable them to overcome poverty and become productive members of society .

Previously, Rolland was the Church and Community Ministries Director for the San Diego Baptist Association. While in that position Rolland served two years as the first Faith Community Mobilization Consultant for the County of San Diego's Health and Human Service Agency. He is also one of the founders of the Faith-Based Leadership Training Institute through San Diego State University. The Institute offers pastor, and /or key leaders a two-year fellowship to learn and explore opportunities related to community development.

He also has served as an Associate Pastor, Minister of Missions and Church Planter, and as Interim-Pastor of the Meridian Southern Baptist Church of El Cajon, California.