Our History

Pastors Charles and Marilyn Smith came from Goshen, NY in 1983, to plant a church in the Pocono's of Pennsylvania. With a passion for music and young people, they held contemporary Christian concerts in the late 80's and early 90's, bringing in artists like Steven Curtis Chapman, Rachel Rachel, Geoff Moore and the Distance, David and the Giants, Whiteheart, Out of Eden, Scott Wesley Brown, Steve Camp, and many more.


The concerts were held at venues like East Stroudsburg University, Easton State Theater, Big Wheel Rollerskating Rink, and local high schools, etc. In the summer of 1989, they set up a massive tent that could hold over a 1,000 people, where outdoor concert performances were held throughout the summer. Buses of youth groups and families from all over attended the concerts, sometimes waiting in line all day. Pastors Charles and Marilyn diligently sent out thousands of flyers and advertised on the local MTV station, newspapers and radio for a "FREE CONCERT." 


They desired to one day build a place kids could call their own. "We want people to know you can love God and still have a good time," said Pastor Charles. Years later people still talk about the impact the concerts had on their lives.


In December of 1992, Pastor Charles met with the owners of the current property where they rent their church building, to inquire the purchasing of it, in hopes to one day build their own facility for concerts and ministry outreaches. Later on that same day, their oldest daughter, Dawn Marie, was tragically killed in an automobile accident. It did not stop the work, however, it was a big tragedy for the entire family and ministry. 

THE 2000'S

A few years later, in 2000, the pastors received a phone call from the same property owners, about a possible building for rent. Together they remodeled the building in its entirety and relocated their ministry to 3215 Nth 5th Street in East Stroudsburg, PA. Unbeknownst to the pastors, this very building and property was previously owned by the late Rev. Percy Crawford, in the 1950's. Rev. Crawford held weekly youth services in that very building. The owners shared this news with Pastors Charles and Marilyn, and as a result they saved the very platform Rev. Percy Crawford preached from, as well as the original wood flooring where you can still see the shuffle board game. Rev. Crawford's ministry was widely known for his impact on the youth, he founded Kings College, Pinebrook Bible Conference, Shadowbrook camp for girls, Mountainbrook camp for boys, the radio show "Young People's Church of the Air," and the television program, Youth on the March. Almost 50 years later, our Pastors would relocate their ministry, with a similar passion and desire to reach the youth, on the same land. 

THE PRESENT

As the years have gone on, the team at Labor of Love USA continues ministering in the arena of youth, music, theater and sports. It is our desire to see people come to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Labor of Love USA has become a staple in the community, providing countless youth and families an opportunity to grow in their faith and be apart of their many community outreaches. 

Share by: