Support the Broten Family in Their Time of Loss

SERVICE DATE: The funeral will be at Bethlehem Baptist Church on Saturday, AUG 9 at 1:30 PM (12:30 PM viewing) as well as a Sunday afternoon service in Roseau, MN.

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It is with tears in my eyes, a lump in my throat, and groaning in my spirit that I write to tell you that Perpetua Joy Broten, daughter of Jacob & Sonja Broten, passed away unexpectedly on July 31, 2025 at the age of 12. 

Perpetua was born on December 6, 2012. She was a quiet, beautiful young lady who loved to cook and bake. She was a gifted, responsible, down-to-earth older sister who loved taking care of her three younger siblings Sahara, Zatteo, and Lazarus. She was best friends with her older sister, Hadassah. 

Her older sister, Evangeline, reflects, “She was the quiet sunshine of the family, loved by every single person who met her. Perpetua’s smile would light up a room and her jokes would make everyone laugh.” 

 

When asked by a fellow global partner about her future, Perpetua said she wanted to do something nurturing either as a mom, missionary, or midwife. She had a bright smile, intelligent mind, and gentle spirit that embraced her parents’ radical faith and love.

Precious Perpetua fell sick a few days ago with Typhoid Fever. And, at the same time, her sister Sahara began battling malaria. Perpetua started treatment immediately. On July 30, she went to bed after receiving her second dose of medication, but when the family woke up the following morning, they found that she had passed into the arms of her Savior. 

Perpetua was named after the Christian martyr who died in AD 203—a young, well-educated noblewoman who was executed by a gladiator in Carthage (modern day Tunis), northern Africa. Her story is one of the oldest and most detailed accounts of female Christian martyrdom in early church history. Like her namesake, Perpetua died for the sake of her Lord, Jesus Christ. 

The Broten family are currently making their way to their country's capital in order to fly back to Minnesota. They will face challenges of logistics, health, and other difficulties in leaving the country and coming home. Please pray for their travel, returning Perpetua to the US, and the whole grieving process. Funeral details to follow.

Father, give the Brotens a deep, sustaining sense of your presence. Strengthen them through your word. Let their tears be real but not hopeless. Let their grief be full but not faithless. Let them feel, even now, the ministry of your Spirit comforting, steadying, and assuring them that you are still God and still good.

And Lord, would you use even this loss—a loss we would never choose, a very painful loss—for eternal gain? Let the aroma of Christ rise from this suffering. Let it draw others to the hope of the gospel. Let this family’s faith, refined by fire, declare that Christ is worthy—even when the cost is this high.

And we pray for Sahara to be healed from malaria as her family travels from the capital and works their way home. May you take the fever away and heal her completely, Lord.