Don Basham (1926–1991) was born and reared in Wichita Falls, Texas. As a young man, he left a promising career as a commercial artist in that city to enter the ministry. Basham held degrees from Phillips University and its Graduate Seminary in Enid, Oklahoma, and was an ordained minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Basham served as pastor in churches in Washington, D.C., Toronto, and Sharon, Pennsylvania. He also served as editor of New Wine, an international magazine dedicated to Christian growth, while living in Mobile, Alabama, with his wife, Alice, and their children. He was involved in writing, counseling, and teaching in both national and international speaking engagements.