Greg - On your questions

On your questions. A couple vital things to remember is that we get it wrong and then evolve from there all the time. As well, just like in child rearing (except for breast feeding 7 years olds) what works for us might not work for you. But I will give you my thoughts, so beware.

RE:

Firstly, what is it that you are focusing on in your leadership training?  What are their biggest needs and how do you help them meet them?

We are focusing on many things. The top 3 couple of focus points for us come from an Henri Nouwen quote "The role of a Christian leader today is articulating their inner life" From that flows many questions and challenges. "Inner life":  You have to have an inner life to articulate it, how do we pray, what is our theology on hearing God, morality issues and identity etc. "Articulate": How do we go about doing this, communication (basic and advanced from clear diction to preparing a teaching), proper use of media, the use of silence and studying culture and "contexualizing" good foreign resources. Follows is the actual list of "curriculum" that we've put together and are working through.

I did say 3 focus points. The second being, you are not what you do. And the third being Team, Team, Team. (what is team, community, where do professional boundaries need to be in place and what is a good volunteer culture to have in place)

RE: Second, how do you work the intern thing?  Here it's a pain trying to keep people on who are employees, but I desperately need help.

Yes, I totally understand that. Until a year a go it was like pulling teeth without anesthetic. 2 years ago I put the word out that we were going to be launching an intensive leadership program, reflective styled training,  that would take place over 2 days in the week, in my case a Thursday (preparation and training) and a Saturday (practical).  Some weeks it would only be the Thursday, other times 3 days in a row depending on the teams availability. From there it just evolved. I tend to  teach through experience and though I believe that is still the most important (see Jesus) a lot of people need the "A-Z" explanation of things (how to communicate, doing a teaching, what is my testimony etc ( See Jesus again). Thus, this year we are putting in a mandatory 2 hour "seminar" on subjects listed below to facilitate a more holistic training. We are not accredited from any university (youth work degree) and that would help but not a necessity.  From that fluid framework I just advertised and started small: 3 the first year, 3 the second, hopefully 4 this year.  Make no mistake having a team at first is a lot more work than not (yes, like children) but then grow into their roles.  In Ireland the Euro is god so I purposefully looked for and interviewed people that would volunteer their time, cover their transport to and from the office, food during work days and training resources (books etc). I would cover outreach travel, accommodation and food while on the road. (I would get the event that we were working at to cover these expenses as part of my honorarium). I also set the bar and am setting the bar high-ish. In other words this year is about becoming a leader, evangelist, seeing the growth of the work of 3Rock Youth and ultimately living out their call in life to see Jesus realized in the hearts of this generation.  This is not a year out to to discover faith for yourself (though depth does come) or a place for counseling (I'm not the guy for that). Its a leadership generating community.

From this foundation of leaders I have been able to place youth workers locally in churches and expand my team (2 of which are now working a day a week outside their new church based jobs). This could be a selling point as well to the church networks. "GB3D will train youth leaders for you to hire." This year 2 of our interns (I now call them "LPs", as in Leadership Programme, I felt intern was to subservient, maybe there's a better Portuguese word) will be "sponsored" by a local church that will in turn hire them after their placement with 3Rock. Some teams in Ireland are "Year-Out" teams and are full time and pay up to €3000 for the year plus accommodation. I found this too overwhelming and time consuming. They've been successful in their own right but are more about basic discipleship than intensive leadership training.

RE:

Third, does networking with other churches or ministries work there?  And if yes, how?

Yes, most definitely. But this was a long hard graft of building relationships, prioritizing the individual and not their status and serving. I have had an awful lot of coffees in my time and most of them were about building networks. Quite a few have become my closest friends and allies.  How did it work?  In my case I listened, reflected and encouraged. From there I offered what I could do to serve there work best. I'm a creative guy and have a head for production so I just got stuck facilitating there work.  I'd have to have a much closer look at your work to help identify what those areas are for you but I'm sure you could list them off with your eyes closed. Of hand I'd say that you 1) bring an enthusiasm for life and evangelism that is un-Brazilian like 2) have a cultural overview and insights that come from moving into  and making a home of a foreign country 3) ideas and the ability to implement them 4) creativity with a professional "western" edge 5) US based contacts that could yield access to top speakers, bands etc  6) a deep desire to see Brazilians become and own who they are called to be 7) a great ability to passionately communicate all of the above and more. I find humility and service are the keys to the many doors that God has opened for us in Ireland.

Practically I would  1) pray about my role locally and nationally and see what the will if the Father is 2) Gather my thoughts and statistics on GB3D (numbers worked with, styles of communication, Nation wide impact and review/references from church leaders and youth, original ideas (e.g.. "No Sex") that you have launched)  3) make a list of national networks established and ones in their infancy. (e.g.. Teen Street, I know these guys very well or  Soul Survivor)  E-mail and visit "key" people, especially if they are through already established relationships (always find a way to cover the coffee costs), be yourself, be personal ("do you have a big family") encourage and chat with them. 4) Follow up the meeting with e-mails and details. (e.g.. "I've sent along that book we were chatting about" or "I'm praying for...") 5) Go along and be at their events 2 or 3 times year, maybe set up a "No Sex" display or GB3D, if they are willing or offer to run a seminar  6) If trust is established you can offer to set a link or advertise on your website or even e-mail you list of contacts on their upcoming events (always being careful not to give your list away offering "to send it out for them")