The Afscheiding (Secession) was proclaimed by Rev. Hendrik de Cock in 1834. He was the minister of the Reformed church in Ulrum. In his eyes, the Dutch Reformed Church had become too liberal. He wanted the church to go back to the old ways. His way of preaching inspired a lot of people, and he drew large audiences with his ceremonies.

The most important figure in the Secession of the Gelderland Reformed church was without a doubt Anthony Brummelkamp.

The bad economic circumstances, together with the bad situation for the Seceders led two prominent ministers of the seceders, Rev. Brummelkamp and Rev. Van Raalte, to the idea of emigration.