Christian Unions say they are ready for the latest mission of high profile atheist Richard Dawkins to see secularist societies set up on every university and college campus in the UK within the next 12 months.

“God Delusion” author Dawkins made headlines recently by helping the British Humanist Association launch 800 bus adverts proclaiming: “There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.”

Christian Unions are responding to the campaign by distributing 400,000 copies of St John’s Gospel around university and college campuses and holding high profile outreach events that give students the opportunity to talk about God.

The UCCF:thechristianunions, the umbrella organisation of Christian Unions across the UK, says Dawkins’ new drive for secularist student societies will only serve to raise the profile of God and faith issues even more.

Pod Bhogal, communications director at UCCF:thechristianunions, said: “Once again, Professor Dawkins is to be thanked for raising the profile of God and faith issues. His book, ‘The God Delusion’ was a brilliant platform for Christian Unions on which to host events where the claims about God, and Jesus Christ could be openly discussed, and through that, people have become Christians.

"His bus adverts gave students an opportunity to ask questions about God’s existence in a new way, and now his secularist society campaign on every campus will excite CUs keen to share their faith and raise the spiritual temperature amongst students.”

Mr Bhogal said UCCF:thechristianunions would be encouraging the National Union of Students to ensure any meetings held by the secularist societies are open to all students to attend, including Christians.

He said: “CUs have been at the forefront of drawing up good practice with the NUS as to how religious/philosophical societies should work on campuses, and that means that every society must ensure that all its meetings are open to all students to attend.

"In reality, this will means the new secularist societies must open their doors to Christian students, and they will look forward to contributing to open and honest debates about the nature of faith and belief, as well as the person and work of Jesus Christ.”