Strength for the Journey Retreats for persons living with HIV/AIDS were started over 15 years ago in the California-Pacific Conference of the UnitedMethodistChurch. In 1997 the Holston Conference hosted the first retreat in the Southeast.

The Holston Conference Camping and Leisure Ministries and SEMAR (Southeast United Methodist Agency for Rehabilitation) are the sponsors of the Strength for the Journey Retreat. Additional support is provided by businesses and individuals from a variety of denominations. The retreat planning group, including those who are affected and infected by HIV, seeks to embody the Church's role of compassion and love in this epidemic.