My name is Patrizio Murdocca. I am a freshman at Vanderbilt University, and the President/Founder of Interfaced Ministries (www.interfacedministries.org) — a 501(c)(3) dedicated to closing the student technology gap. To fulfill our mission, we donate laptops to students as part of our Interfaced Scholar Program. Scholars receive a brand new Chromebook laptop, life-skills training via recordings, and one-on-one mentorship with our staff.
I started Interfaced Ministries in August 2013 in Florida, but when I got to Nashville in August 2015 to start at Vandy, I felt called to bring Interfaced to Nashville students. After a few months of laying the foundation and finding support, I got in contact with Preston Taylor Ministries. Since the day I first met Chan and Collin, I have been humbled by the knowledge, passion, and dedication of Preston Taylor’s incredible staff. I am honored to partner with Preston Taylor Ministries in order to serve Preston Taylor’s students via Chromebook donation to select students.
In addition to Interfaced’s partnership with Preston Taylor, I have been volunteering myself on Monday’s as part of their middle school programming. I am honored to lead a group of students in a weekly Bible study. On one particularly special evening, we watched a Christian spoken word piece together. I watched, with watery eyes, as the students identified with the pain the poet expressed — the hurt and anxiety that results from sin. Next, as the poet expressed the Salvation of the Gospel, I saw as each and every one of their facial expressions changed from sadness to happiness; they understood the message of the clip — Jesus loves us! When the video was over, I asked them some follow up questions, but by that point, they were practically able to run the discussion!
Given the fact that they come to us at the end of the day, we are constantly seeking new and engaging ways of engaging with our students; from videos, to stories, to demonstrations. I feel so blessed to be apart of the incredible work Preston Taylor Ministries does in the Nashville Community. Moving forward, I hope to be able to increase the number of students Interfaced can provide with computers, and to continue developing relationships with these amazing students.