The Addictive Behavior Counseling School began in September 1989 on the University of the Nations campus in Kona, Hawaii, under the leadership of Darv and Carol Smith and Miriam Young.
What started as a response to the growing need for faith-based addiction recovery soon became a global movement. The school was born out of God’s heart to reach those often rejected by society and even the Church—people battling addiction, trauma, abuse, and isolation.
From the beginning, the vision was clear:
to train counselors who would meet people in their pain and help restore them to wholeness through the power of Christ.
“God is for ALL who are hurting.”
Since that first school, ABCS has expanded around the world through faithful leaders and graduates who carried the mission forward.
1990s Expansion:
Early schools and outreaches began in India, Singapore, Malaysia, Micronesia, Guam, Yap, Palau, and Hong Kong.
Graduates launched rehab programs like Omult in Palau and joined partnerships with community agencies to pioneer new methods of recovery ministry.
2000s Leadership Shift:
In 1999, leadership expanded to a new generation of ABC graduates.
Kona, Hawaii continued under Linda Subris.
Jeju, Korea schools began under Jungwoo Cheon and Fuana Tmarsel.
India, Fiji, Zambia, Uganda, and Brazil launched new programs through YWAM leaders and local pastors.
Mongolia hosted short-term workshops that reached remote areas with teaching and training.
Today:
ABC Schools continue to thrive under leaders like Abraham Kim (Kona, HI), Dae Jong Lee (Jeju, Korea), Edkarla and Evandro Adriano (Brazil), and Sandra and Gustavo Lima (USA).
Schools are active or developing in:
Hawaii, Korea, Brazil, the United States, India, Uganda, Fiji, Mongolia, South Africa, and more.
We are praying for future schools in Vietnam, Singapore, South Africa, and Trinidad.
Graduates of ABC Schools have founded addiction recovery and rehabilitation programs in several nations:
India – Men’s and women’s recovery programs led by ABC graduates Ashang Kasar and Mayola Ngamchio.
Brazil – A thriving rehab center in Curitiba led by Paulo and Ieda da Silva.
YWAM Partnerships – Collaboration with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) and local ministries to equip culturally diverse leaders across continents.
These schools remain true to the Word of God and guided by the Holy Spirit—raising up counselors who reflect God’s heart for the broken and hurting.
We believe these schools began in the heart of God. Addiction in all its forms is a source of pain across every culture. Scripture shows God’s compassion for the brokenhearted and His desire to restore them to life and freedom.
ABMI exists to see the needs of the world through God’s eyes—training counselors who carry His hope into the darkest places.
