Joseph Mendivil Cota

José Mendívil Cota, known lovingly as Brother Joseph Cota Sr., was born on February 28, 1922, in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, to Pacifico Rosario Cota and Magdalena Mendívil Cota. He was one of five children—brothers Manuel and Rafael, and sisters Herminia and María—all of whom shared a childhood marked by hard work, faith, and family unity.

At eight years old, Joseph’s parents moved their family to Arizona, where they worked in agriculture, plowing fields with horse drawn teams. His father later worked in the mines. In 1934, when Joseph was twelve, the family was evangelized in the Imperial Valley by Brother Francisco Amaya, father of Brother Juan Amaya. Shortly afterward, Joseph’s father passed away from complications related to mining work—having first received the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Joseph grew up attending Sunday school in the Imperial Valley under the teaching of Brother Espiridion Salazar and the pastoral leadership of Brother Juan Montes. In 1938, the family moved to Russell City, near Hayward, California, where Joseph worked as a chauffeur for the Santucci family. In 1942, he enlisted in the United States Army, serving his country with honor.

He was baptized in 1944 by Pastor Celso Moran and received the Holy Spirit in 1946, a defining moment that shaped the rest of his life and ministry. During those years, he became known for his kindness and willingness to serve—often driving young Moisés Varela to church, a boy who would later become a pastor himself.

In 1962, Joseph met Elvira (Vera) Moya of Sanger, California. They married, and in 1963, welcomed their son, Joseph Cota Jr. Together, Brother and Sister Cota worshiped in Russell City under Pastor Moran until the church relocated to Hayward in 1963.

In 1968, Brother Cota was ordained as a pastor and began shepherding a congregation that met in a home he owned in Fremont, California. He faithfully pastored there for eighteen years, pouring his heart into teaching, prayer, and service. Afterward, he returned for a time to the church in Hayward.

In 1987, Brother Cota and his family founded a new church in Livermore, California, in an old building on North Livermore Avenue. To help pay for the building, he mowed the lawn in exchange for rent—a testament to his humility and dedication. The first members of the Livermore church included Brother and Sister Cartagena, followed by the Pérez family, Sister María Vega, the Carmona family, and the López family. As the congregation grew, the church moved to Walnut Street, and later, in 2007, to its current location on North P Street.

Sister Elvira (Vera) Cota suffered from severe arthritis for many years, and the Lord called her home in 2010. Her passing was a profound loss, yet Brother Cota continued serving faithfully until 2014, when he retired from the pastorate and recommended Brother Ricardo Carmona as his successor.

Brother Cota was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Vera Cota and his daughter Linda Cota and is survived by his son Joseph Cota Jr., daughter in law Rena Cota, and daughter Rena Cota Hust. He was blessed with grandchildren Gabriel Cota, Catherine Cota, Erica Kees (Enrico), and Selena Vaughn (Royce).

He was further blessed with great grandchildren Jeremiah, Alex, Michael, Richard, Emma and Gianluca who brought him joy and laughter.

Brother José Mendívil Cota lived a life of unwavering faith, humility, and service. He touched countless lives—through his preaching, his kindness, his quiet strength, and his steadfast devotion to God. His legacy lives on in the congregations he shepherded, the families he guided, and the generations who loved him.

He will be remembered for his gentle spirit, his deep faith, and the love he poured into his family and church. His presence will be profoundly missed, but his influence endures in every life he touched.