Born in Portsmouth, Virginia, Cardell Patillo, Jr. serves as the full time Youth Pastor on staff at Grove Baptist Church where Dr. Melvin O. Marriner leads as Senior Pastor. The youth ministry is a flourishing ministry, which currently has over 700 youth on roll between the ages of five and twenty. Cardell exercises his gifts vigorously through lectures, workshops and revivals. In 2013, Cardell published his first book entitled “How to Love Your Child Through A Divorce”.

Cardell is an aggressive learner and has received his formal education from several higher institutions of learning. Cardell completed his undergraduate degree in Multi-Disciplinary Studies at Liberty University. He completed a Master of Arts Degree in Pastoral Counseling at Liberty University. He also completed a Master of Divinity Degree at The Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University. In 2021, he earned a Doctorate Degree in Health Administration from Virginia University of Lynchburg. Cardell is a dedicated community servant and a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Cardell continues to serve his community through charitable efforts and was selected as the Honorary Chairperson for Relay for Life in the city of Portsmouth. Due to Cardell’s work in the community and concern for young people, he was elected to the Portsmouth School Board in November of 2014.