Thirty five years ago John Keck, a man of vision, commitment and determination, had a dream about offering a Christian retreat program to people with physical disabilities. He shared his decision with a group of friends who enthusiastically helped him turn his dream into reality. The first Handicapped Encounter Christ retreat was successfully launched in April, 1974 in New York, and John became known as the "Father of HEC."

Even though no programmed growth has been planned for HEC, active communities have taken root throughout North America, Australia and the Philippines. Philadelphia's inaugural HEC retreat was in February, 1977, sponsored by Villanova University's Office of Campus Ministry. The flame still burns brightly in the community offering physical, spiritual, and fellowship support to thousands of participants.