International (MNN) — Nearly 3,000 world leaders and representatives in politics, business, academia, and civil society have gathered in Europe for the World Economic Forum (WEF) this week.
WEF is an annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, that has been held since 1971 (with a few exceptions). Although participants come with a variety of agendas, WEF — also called Davos — aims to foster dialogue on global issues.
Joe Handley serves with A3, a leader development group. He says that despite criticism of Davos as being elitist, “They’re meeting at a pivotal moment in history. When I look at the world, what was the post-World War II kind of global order is completely being reshaped these days.”
Conversations at Davos can have global ripple effects. Handley is watching closely for implications for the Ukraine-Russia war, tensions between Cambodia and Thailand, and ongoing religious freedom concerns worldwide.
“The Davos meeting reminds us that the world is seeking coordination to solve global problems,” he says. “But we know that the Word of God teaches us that no system can heal the human heart or human condition. We need character-formed leaders, and this is where the church serves the world best.”
That conviction has driven A3’s work for decades, equipping Christian leaders to serve differently.
“Our theory is that the world doesn’t necessarily need better policies — although good policies are helpful — it needs a different kind of leader. That’s why A3 does what it does, to form Christ-like leaders who can serve, not dominate, and really be the light and hope of Jesus in the world today,” says Handley.
“The world doesn’t suffer from a shortage of smart people, but it suffers from a shortage of Christ-like character.”
Find your place in the world’s events through prayer.
“Leaders, all of us, are in a uniquely dangerous position, because power can corrupt, and we tend to get isolated from people and from the truth when we fall into those positions of authority,” says Handley.
“Scripture warns us that this can be dangerous, and leadership can be tempted to replace what should be dependence on God [with dependence] on ourselves.”
In keeping with 1 Timothy 2:1-2, pray for world leaders this week and beyond. Pray for godliness, wisdom, justice, and compassion among them, especially during the World Economic Forum, January 19-23, 2026.
Header photo: By UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) – The World Economic Forum in Davos, CC BY-SA 4.0.
