Awana ( an acronym for Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed , from 2 Timothy 2:15 ) , is an international evangelical non-profit organization . It was founded in 1950 . Awana ( derived from the first letters of Approved workmen are not ashamed as taken from 2 Timothy 2:15 ) is an international evangelical nonprofit organization founded in 1950 , headquartered in Streamwood , Illinois .