The YMCA idea spread far and wide through young men who flocked to London and those migrated from London to other continents. Eventually in 1855, 99 delegates from Europe and North America met in Paris in the First World Conference of YMCAs. The organizers described it as "the first ecumenical conference of young men of all lands". The Conference adopted the Paris Basis, a common mission for all present and future YMCAs which states:

"The Young Men's Christian Association seeks to unite those young men who, regarding Jesus Christ as their God and Saviour according to the Holy scriptures, desire to be His disciples in their faith and in their life, and to associate their efforts for the extension of His kingdom amongst young men".

In a span of 150 years the YMCA movement spread to 130 countries and geographical regions with over 12,000 local YMCAs with nearly 30 million members. In the course of time the focus of YMCA shifted from individual development to community development.