LITHONIA — A school affiliated with the Georgia megachurch New Birth Missionary Baptist Church is shutting down.

New Birth Christian Academy has struggled financially for years, officials told WSB-TV.

School officials said financial deficits and a tough economy left its board of directors with no other option but to temporarily close the school.

The academy informed parents in a letter dated Dec. 22, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

“We have operated New Birth Christian Academy for several years with substantial deficits in hopes that the national economic climate would change, however, that change never materialized,” according to the letter signed by Carlton Donald, the board’s vice chair.

The pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade school has an enrollment of 221 and employs 20 teachers, according to the Georgia Independent School Association.

It was founded New Birth Missionary Baptist Church leader Bishop Eddie Long.

Earlier this month, Long announced he’s taking time off to focus on his family after his wife filed for divorce. The split comes more than a year after allegations that he used his lavish lifestyle and position of spiritual authority to lure four young men into sexual relationships.

He settled the cases but has never admitted to any wrongdoing.